A large oval gold tray, the border cast with 20 roundels with the badges of the Orders of George IV within laurel wreaths and acanthus borders; the rim cast with national emblems. The centre is engraved with a crowned GR monogram within a collar and badge of the Order of the Garter, surrounded by six further roundels. The handles are cast with oak branches and Nemean lion's pelts. The tray stands on two lion and two unicorn feet.

This massive tray, weighing 8.5 kg (19lbs), is one of only six items of solid gold ever created by the royal goldsmiths Rundell, Bridge & Rundell. It is decorated with the badges of every Order of Knighthood to which George IV belonged at the time of his Coronation and is a celebration of the King's chivalric credentials. The badges include the principal British Orders (Garter, Thistle, Bath and St. Patrick) which were deferred on George IV as soon as he became Regent in 1811. The other badges comprise an epitome of European chivalry and include the Golden Fleece (of Austria and Spain), the Elephant (of Denmark), the Holy Spirit and St Michael (of France), four Portuguese orders (St James of the Sword, the Tower and Sword, Aviz, Order of Christ), three Russian orders (St Anne, St Alexander Nevski, St Andrew), two Prussian orders (the Black Eagle, the White Falcon), two from the Two Sicilies (St Januarius, St Ferdinand) and one each from Hanover (Order of the Guelphs), and the Netherlands (Order of William), together with the Order of Charles III of Spain, Order of St Stephen of Hungary, the Order of Leopold of Austria and the Iron Crown of Austria. The majority of these were received between 1815 and 1820.

Catalogue entry from "Gold", London, 2014.