Early 20th C Fred Thompson Hand Colored Mini Tray Portland ME


This evocative miniature tray features a hand-colored lithograph or photograph by Fred Thompson of Portland, Maine, part of his “Pictures ~ Oddities” series produced between 1909 and 1923. A member of the Nutting School tradition, Thompson captured domestic scenes with painterly charm—here, a woman arranges a floral centerpiece in a cozy parlor. The image is protected under glass and framed in wood with brass handles, creating a functional art object often referred to as a button tray, dresser tray, or serving tray. Measuring just 4.5" wide by 3.5" high, it’s a compact treasure with crossover appeal to collectors of photographic art, folk decor, and historical ephemera.