Tula Brass Serving Tray (Довоенный тульский латунный поднос). A vintage Tula pre-revolutionary (before 1917) Russian hammered brass serving tray with cast brass handles. Stamped "Tula". In good condition with a nice patina and age-related wear. 8¾"x 15".
The Tula region, 120 miles south of Moscow, is rich in copper and other natural ore deposits. Latyn is a very high quality brass with a greater proportion of copper used by samovar and brass accessory manufacturers in Russia. It is also known as "yellow brass" (see below). Brass articles were expected to last a long time and to be handed down from one generation to another.
Brass deposits are not found in nature as it is an alloy of copper (over 50%) and zinc. Additionally, tin, lead, aluminum, nickel, and manganese are often added. Depending on the percentage of additives, the alloy acquires different properties and colors. It can be yellow, golden and even have a greenish tinge. Brass articles were expected to last a long time and were to be handed down from one generation to another.
