dumæ’s Masa Tray Turns Sculptural Brass Into a Working Serving Piece

Serving burgers and fries on a $595 brass tray sounds a little absurd. That’s part of the appeal of dumæ’s Masa: its broad, rippling surface makes everyday food feel at home on an object that could otherwise be mistaken for sculpture. The tray’s strongest pitch is that it can stay on display between meals, rather than becoming another piece of serving ware tucked away after dinner.

Los Angeles brand dumæ designed Masa, which is handcrafted in India and finished to be food-safe, according to the project description. That combination puts it between decorative object and functional tableware. Whether it earns a place in your home depends on how much you value that overlap—and whether you like seeing sculptural brass alongside a casual spread.

Designer: dumæ

Waves shape the whole tray

Masa’s form draws on ocean waves, rendered as gentle rises and dips across the brass rather than a literal shell motif. IADA’s announcement connects the design to Point Dume, the stretch of California coast where dumæ founder Kym Gold grew up. The reference adds context, but the object doesn’t depend on it: the uneven contours give a metal surface that might otherwise feel severe a softer, more animated profile.

The ridges catch light while the shallow valleys hold shadow, creating variation across the tray even when food covers part of it. Its edges follow the same flowing outline, so the sculpted quality feels built into the form instead of added as surface decoration. That restraint is the design’s clearest strength. The brass and its changing contours do the visual work without a printed pattern or ornament.

There’s a practical trade-off. A rippled platter can make a spread look more composed, but it may complicate the placement of glasses and small bowls. The images suggest that loosely arranged food works well; they don’t show how securely every vessel sits. I’d think of Masa as a serving surface for a table, rather than assume it’s convenient for carrying a full round of drinks across a room.

A statement piece with serving duties

Hand production means each tray can vary slightly in form and finish, according to the announcement. Those differences suit a design built around irregular movement, though they don’t answer the everyday questions of care and wear. Handmade character shouldn’t be read as a promise of scratch resistance or durability. Before using Masa regularly, I’d want the maker’s guidance on cleaning and handling.

Retail listings give the tray’s dimensions as about 21.5 by 11.5 inches, with a height of 3 inches. Check that footprint against your table before planning a large spread: the raised contours and compact width may leave less room for plates than the photographs suggest. The Happy Kangaroo lists it for $595 and marks it sold out at the time of writing. That price makes the most sense if you want a display-worthy object that can also serve food, rather than a utilitarian platter.

Masa earned Platinum recognition in two categories at the International Architecture & Design Awards 2026: Kitchen & Dining Room Design and Homewear & Decor. The pairing reflects the tray’s dual role, but the photographs make its case more directly. Food stands out against the brass, and the curved surface adds interest without requiring a centerpiece.

The takeout presentation may be the most convincing one. Carefully arranged figs and grapes show off the tray, but burgers and fries make it feel less precious. Masa doesn’t need a formal dinner party to justify its sculptural presence; it can bring some shape to an ordinary meal. The practical question is whether that visual payoff—and a permanent spot on the table—is worth the price.

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