Boldly signed JB (Jenning Brothers) and numbered 241. Measures 5 1/2″ across x 5 3/4″ tall and has maximum height of 3/4″. Weight is nice and solid at around 1 pound.
Looks to have a lovely copper wash incorporated through out topside tray and bottom has more of the traditional bronzed look. See Jenning Brothers trays made and called all sorts of metals This metal beauty has copper tint, heavy metal with bronzed look and non-magnetic. Age wear with greening scratches scuffs verdigris tarnishing spots nice Patina and still looks great! Some fun reading from bridgeporthistory. about the JB company at bottom.
Guessing made early 1900s. Great Pin Tray! Please check pictures for description and condition.
The Jennings Brothers Metal Foundry was opened by the 3 Jennings Brothers in 1890 in Bridgeport, CT. Their offices started in 2 small wood buildings and their foundry in a brick building. Ultimately, they expanded to a larger factory building which was located on Elm Street in Bridgeport.
They specialized in metal art and maintained a staff of artists and sculptors to craft their metal art objects (“Nouveau” metal art) which included clocks, bookends, statues, metal cases, candelabras and some silver-plated utensils. Their original items were signed with the initials “JB” on each pieces. Many JB objects are sold at auctions. Older residents of Brideport can probably find at least one JB object in their house.
In the early 1950’s the Jennings Brothers Manufacturing Company went out of business and the art object casts were purchased by another company in Philadelphia, PA. They used the original JB casts to manufacture replicas which are cheaper versions of the original JB items sold at art auctions.
