Description: Although rare, these Rectangular Bulb Trays are more common than the other very rare/unique types: the boat shaped and octagonal bulb trays. Over the years, these trays because of their mould-like shape were also thought to be used to hold ice cream. However, the other two types would not have been used for that purpose. These bulb trays are useful in several ways and are very popular and expensive.

The rectangular bulb trays are decorated with a full Canton scene in the bottom, the curved handles (1 3/8″ wide) at either end have rain cloud borders and there are a pair of flowers on each of the long sides. The bottoms are unglazed. There is little size variation (1/8″-1/4″) among all the examples we have seen. Note: sometimes they are a little tippy as the bottoms are not always absolutely flat.

These rectangular bulb trays are illustrated in Jane Wilson’s 1977 booklet on page 9 and in Herbert Schiffer’s 1975 book on page 217.