Gzhel Russian Blue and White Condiment Caddy Tray, Hand Painted

The base of a Gzhel condiment set, formed as three joined lobes with scalloped shell tabs between them and a recessed well seated into each section to hold a small vessel for salt, pepper, and mustard or a similar third condiment. The surface is hand painted in cobalt with the loose, brush loaded roses that define the Gzhel style, the color pulled from deep blue to pale wash in a single stroke, with trailing berry sprigs, curling tendrils, and a small crosshatched lattice at the center. Scalloped lace borders and dotted edging finish each lobe. Marked on the underside Made in Russia, Shekma Gzhel, Hand Made. Offered as the tray alone, without the three original vessels, which leaves the wells free for votives, rings and earrings, small air plants, or trinkets on a vanity. Small variations in the glaze and the hand finished underside are characteristic of the making process rather than wear. Gzhel porcelain, Russian blue and white, condiment caddy, cobalt hand painted, blue and white vanity tray. 7" x 5.5"