Perforated plastic compartment tray, repurposed as a dish drainer with bottle-cap feet

Name/Title

Perforated plastic compartment tray, repurposed as a dish drainer with bottle-cap feet

Entry/Object ID

2025.1.154

Description

A rectangular tray of molded cream/ivory plastic with a base of fine square-grid perforation (mesh) and raised internal dividers forming several elongated compartments plus end sections — a form consistent with a cutlery/flatware tray or draining insert. The rim is shallow with rounded corners. Faint molded lettering/numerals appear in the central base panel but are not legible. At one corner (upper left) a red metal crown bottle cap is fixed through the mesh, serving as a foot; the three other corners show circular rust stains and open holes where similar caps were once attached and have since been lost. Per donor information, the owner attached bottle caps at the four corners so the tray could stand raised and function as a drainer for washed dishes; only one cap now remains. The surface is aged, soiled, and discolored.

Use

Used by Leopoldo Arús Gálvez as a drainer for washed dishes.

Collection

The Cabrera Arús family collection

Acquisition

Accession

2025.1

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Notes

Faint molded lettering/numerals in the central base panel — illegible in the image (possibly a maker, origin, or mold number). The remaining red crown cap may carry beverage branding, not legible here. No other marks.

Materials

Material Notes

Materials: Molded plastic (cream/ivory; specific polymer undetermined), now yellowed. Added modification: metal (steel) crown bottle cap(s) — one remaining, with rust; rust residue at the three lost-cap corners. Technique: Injection-molded perforated plastic tray with integral dividers and square-mesh base. User modification: crown bottle caps fixed at the corners (pushed/secured through the mesh) as raised feet, converting the tray into a standing dish drainer.

Condition

Overall Condition

Poor

Created By

María A. Cabrera Arús

Create Date

April 8, 2026

Updated By

María A. Cabrera Arús

Update Date

June 5, 2026