Wooden trays in Pakistan: a buyer's guide to sheesham serving trays
Sizes, finishes, and care for hand-turned sheesham serving trays from Sillanwali — nested sets, carved, painted, or plain, made to order with cash on delivery across Pakistan.
A wooden tray is one of those pieces that quietly does a lot of work — chai for guests, breakfast in bed, a Nikkah centrepiece, a landing spot for keys and perfume on a dresser. In Pakistan the tray most people mean is a hand-turned sheesham (rosewood) serving tray, made by the same workshops that produce naqshi lacquer plates. This guide covers what to look for before you buy one.
Which wood: sheesham vs mango vs pine
Sheesham (Dalbergia sissoo, or shisham) is the standard for serving trays in Punjab. It is dense, dark, and holds carving well, which is why almost every workshop in Sillanwali turns and carves in sheesham. Mango wood is lighter and cheaper but dents and stains more easily. Pine is a soft-wood budget option and does not last under daily use. For a piece you will pass on, sheesham is the honest choice.
Sizes and shapes that actually get used
- Small (8–10 inch round or 10x6 rectangular): chai tray for two, or a dresser tray for perfume and jewellery.
- Medium (12–14 inch): everyday tea service for four, or a coffee-table centrepiece.
- Large (16–18 inch): guest serving, iftar plates, sweets at weddings.
- Nested set of three: the most common gift order — one large plus two smaller trays that stack inside it.
Finish: plain, carved, naqshi painted, or engraved
Plain sheesham trays show the grain and take a light food-safe oil beautifully — good for daily use. Carved trays add a hand-chiselled border and are the standard for gifting. Naqshi painted trays carry the layered lacquer pattern the town is known for; they are decorative pieces and best kept for serving dry items. Engraving is where personalisation happens — a name, a Nikkah date, a short ayat cut into the rim.
Made-to-order timing
At Sillanwali Handicrafts, every tray is made in our workshop after the order is placed rather than pulled from finished stock. Typical make time is one to two weeks depending on carving and finish, then five to seven working days by courier across Pakistan. Payment is cash on delivery.
How to care for a sheesham tray
- Wipe with a dry or barely damp cloth after use. Do not soak or put it in a dishwasher.
- Keep it away from a hot cooker top and direct sun — the wood dries out and the finish dulls.
- Refresh plain trays with a thin coat of food-safe mineral oil once or twice a year.
- For painted and carved trays, dust only. Water pools will lift lacquer over time.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best wood for a serving tray in Pakistan?
- Sheesham (shisham) is the standard for durable, food-safe serving trays in Pakistan. It is dense, holds hand-carving well, and lasts for years with basic dry-cloth care. Mango wood is a lighter, cheaper alternative but stains and dents more easily.
- What size wooden tray should I buy?
- A 12–14 inch tray covers everyday chai service for four. A nested set of three (large, medium, small) is the most flexible option and the most common wedding or gifting purchase.
- Can a naqshi lacquer tray be used for wet food?
- It is safer to keep painted and lacquered trays for dry serving — biscuits, dry fruit, sweets. For wet or oily food, use a plain or carved sheesham tray that can be wiped clean without lifting a painted finish.
- How much is a hand-carved wooden tray in Pakistan?
- Prices vary by size, finish, and carving depth. At Sillanwali Handicrafts every piece is made to order, so we share a quote after you confirm size and finish. Ask on the product page and we will reply on WhatsApp.
- Do you ship wooden trays across Pakistan with cash on delivery?
- Yes. Every tray is made to order in Sillanwali, Sargodha, and shipped anywhere in Pakistan with cash on delivery. Typical delivery is one to two weeks make time plus five to seven working days in transit.