Tray: Deer with Birch Trees, Gold Foliage, Mid Century Metal Serving Tray, Vintage 1950s

A hush falls over this little tray — a shy spotted fawn steps through a stand of birches, their branches capped in gilded gold against a soft winter palette.

• Maker: Unknown
• Materials: Lithographed metal
• Dimensions: 10 3/4" x 14 3/4"
• Origin: USA
• Era: Vintage, 1950s
• Condition: Very Good — two very minor dents, fine surface scratches, vintage patina throughout. Please review photos closely before purchasing, as all sales are final.

Look closely and the gold "canopy" tops aren't solid at all — each one is built from tiny, individually hand-painted brown leaves, a surprisingly delicate touch for a piece of mid-century serveware. The finish carries that "chippy" well-worn patina some collectors go looking for — not enough to call it primitive, just aged in the way only real vintage use can produce. Paired with the dappled fawn and slim white birch trunks, the whole scene reads like a quiet walk through a forest at the first hint of frost.

It's a lovely find for anyone drawn to mid-century design with a woodland soul — perfect serving a cheese board at a cabin gathering, or simply propped on a shelf as a small piece of vintage art. It also makes a thoughtful gift for the nature lover or MCM collector on your list.

Lithographed metal trays like this one were a mid-century staple, prized for how vividly they could render a scene through printed color layers rather than paint — a technique that let manufacturers turn everyday serveware into something closer to functional art. Woodland and forest motifs were especially popular in the 1950s and 60s, reflecting a broader design trend toward bringing a sense of nature into the home.

Browse our shop for more mid-century serving pieces to round out your collection.