This very charming pin tray has four oval, hollow compartments to hold pins. Along the edges between each oval compartments is a beautifully chased tulip from which the engraved stem runs to the chased flower in the center of the tray.
A pin tray was used to store the pins used to fasten collars and jewelry on clothing and ribbons on hairstyles. They were used on the dressing table and were sometimes part of an entire toilet service if it did not include a pincushion. Sometimes a pin tray is depicted on a 17th century painting. They also appear on lottery prints from that period.