What a wonderful looking tray. Since tales has warmed up the soapbox, I'll step up next with a few comments also. Tales is right about it keeps old silver and old silver plate items in great condition to keep them polished. The only thing I have found, is if you plan to sale the item, you have a better chance left unpolished. Our personal silverplate items, we also keep polished, cause it looks good and makes it so you can use them on Holidays and etc. However the most important part of keeping your silver and plated items in great condition is not just the polish, it is the care after use. This is what ruins it the most. First Clean your items right away after use, never let food set on the item for very long. Hand wash your items, in warm water, and dry them right away, don't let them set in a dish drainer for very long, and let them cool to room temp before putting them away. As for polishing, this is important, don't polish too much, the plate is a thin layer of Silver and the more you polish the more is worn off, Twice a year at the most, and just enough to get the tarnish off. This does not apply to Silver items, but plate items.