Bail-handled, tapered-sided rectangular tray on four splayed cherub's head legs with an inset, clear aqua glass plaque or panel on its bottom painted in white enamel with a vignette of three children in an idyllic landscape. Twisted-wire handle is riveted to cast fan-shaped tabs at gadrooned edge of tray. A die-stamped band of medallions and scrolled volutes covers the interior of the tray's sides, and chased scrolling floral sprays punctuate its bottom corners. Underside of bottom is struck incuse along one side "MIDDLETOWN PLATE C\o. / [QUADRUPLE PLATE]" encircling cross-topped scales, "1884", and "HARD / WHITE / [METAL]".
Painted decoration possibly by Mary Alice Gregory (1856-1908), who worked at the Boston and Sandwich Glass Co., Sandwich, MA, in the 1880s (sources differ on exact dates).
Basket manufacturer is Middletown Plate Co. of Middletown, CT. Middletown Plate Co. was founded in 1864 and became a subsidiary of International Silver Co. in 1898; International continued to use the Middletown name and mark until at least 1921.