Once a sentimental item passed down through the generations and nowadays a thoughtful gift for a loved one, the trinket dish proves to be a timeless, and rather useful, piece.
Alongside their practical qualities, trinket dishes are beautiful items, decorated with pretty illustrations and colours or moulded into interesting shapes.
Arrange a trinket dish on a shelf for a dynamic display, place it on your bedside table for easy access to your glasses or earbuds before and after sleeping, or leave it on a hallway table so you never leave without your keys or favourite bracelet again…
What is a trinket dish?
A trinket dish is a small, shallow container, usually made from glass, ceramic or china, often decorated with pretty designs and colours.
They are usually called a trinket dish when they resemble a plate, with slightly raised edges. Pieces with a more angular structure, often slightly deeper, are referred to as trinket trays.
What goes in a trinket dish
A trinket dish is primarily used for keeping jewellery that you don't want to store away in a jewellery box. This is typically jewellery that is worn everyday – think rings, earrings or a favourite necklace.
Jewels that are stored in a trinket dish are typically smaller, more delicate items, as opposed to large statement pieces. This is due to the small nature of trinket dishes and trays – an oversized pendant or a pair of large hoop earrings simply wouldn’t fit.
Best trinket dishes for 2023
Pastel Slogan Trinket Dish
Offered in a set of three, these stoneware trinket dishes feature inspiring slogans on the base that complement the pretty pastel tones. With a deliberately distressed finish, they will look perfect perched on an antique bedside table or chest of drawers.
Orange Ceramic Trinket Dish
- Buy now from Oliver Bonas (£6.50)
If you’re searching for a trinket dish with a fun pop of colour, this offering will certainly apease. Sculpted to imitate the shape and texture of a real orange, this trinket dish is the perfect depth for keeping small rings and earrings without the worry of losing them.
You might also like fun ways to display fruit and vegetable ceramics
Francie Dog Trinket Dish
- Buy now from Anthropologie (£22)
Embrace vibrant colour and a darling design with this dog-themed trinket dish. Choose between a low, wide dish topped with a lying dog, or a narrow but tall one with a sitting dog – both are equally as lovely and will make a fun addition to any display.
Sara Miller Square Trinket Dishes
- Buy now from Portmeirion (£38.50)
This decorative set of three trinket dishes is certainly eye-catching. Each dish has been beautifully decorated with bird motifs using 22-carat gold, offering a wonderful sense of luxury to any space.
Lodhi Trinket Tray
- Buy now from Abigail Ahern (£8.50)
Heavily inspired by the picturesque Lohi Gardens in Delhi, this vintage-style trinket dish by Abigail Ahern is truly unique. With its dark, moody colour palette and intricate details, it’s almost like a mini work of art.
Panthère de Cartier Trinket Tray
- Buy now from Selfridges (£475)
For an extra special treat, this divine trinket tray from Cartier is a truly luxurious choice. Made from Limoges porcelain and decorated with an eye-catching panther design surrounded by an arabesque motif, it’s a beautiful choice when used as a dish or simply displayed alone.
Fleur Trinket Tray
- Buy now from Jonathan Adler (£85)
The all-seeing eye is the symbol of protection, so what better design for a trinket tray to keep your jewellery safe? Not only is the design itself striking, but the colour choices of pink, blue and gold add a playful element that will suit any style.
Scalloped Green & White Ceramic Trinket Dish
- Buy now from Oliver Bonas (£14.50)
One small trinket dish is scarcely enough space for all of your pretty jewels, so this set of two from Oliver Bonas is a fitting choice. Sculpted with a pretty scalloped edge and decorated with a pleasing colour palette of blue, green, pink and white, they’re as enchanting as they are useful!
Cat Trinket Dish
- Buy now from John Lewis (£8)
A charming option for cat lovers – this trinket dish is a simple stoneware design, with a gold cat motif added for detail. Perfect as a treat for yourself, or a thoughtful gift for a cat owner.
Gray Toile de Jouy Lion Trinket Tray
- Buy now from Dior (£350)
You can’t go wrong with Dior’s classic toile de Jouy design, and this trinket tray offers a lovely depiction of the famous print around its edge. In the centre, a lion illustration adds additional detail, while the muted grey colourway creates a classic, timeless appeal.
Ginori 1735 Rain Rock Creek Trinket Tray
- Buy now from Selfridges (£120)
A collaboration between Ginori 1735 and renowned designer Luke Edward Hall is to thank for this fabulous trinket dish design. This particular artwork was inspired by Hall’s travels to Big Sur, and depicts a cute cabin in the woods.
Bone China Love Trinket Plate
- Buy now from The White Company (£7)
For a simple, pared-back aesthetic, this bone china plate certainly appeals. The design is small yet effective, with just ‘love’ written in a silver cursive font. The plate-like design means it not only fits a variety of jewellery pieces, but it can be stacked with other china you’ve collected for a fun display.
Orchestra Trinket Tray
- Buy now from Royal Opera House (£17)
Gold and duck egg blue always make for a gorgeous combination. This trinket dish uses the palette delightfully, the blue creating a serene background for the illustration by Elena Deshmukh (who has created an exclusive collection of ceramics and stationery with ROH) with the gold used to outline the tray.
Fornasetti Architettura Trinket Tray
- Buy now from Harrods (£280)
The iconic Architettura design by Fornasetti has been used to create this trinket tray, and it certainly makes a statement. Gold jewellery in particular will create a fabulous contrast against the monochrome design of this trinket dish.
Tiered Trinket Dish
- Buy now from Urban Outfitters (£10)
If one dish alone isn’t quite enough, this gold tiered design is sure to pique your interest. With three hammered gold layers, there’s plenty of space for all of your jewellery, plus it makes for a lovely design statement!
Green Glass Trinket Dish
- Buy now from Oliver Bonas (£5)
Dainty and delicate are the words that perfectly describe this glass trinket dish. Offered in this gorgeous green shade and an equally perfect pink hue, the bulb edge detail adds a subtle statement to a simple homeware accessory.
More content from Homes & Antiques
- A guide to antique and vintage cocktail rings
- Collecting vintage jewellery
- What you need to know before buying a vintage engagement ring
- Where to buy antique jewellery and silver online
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