Well, well, I am really astonished by what all of you have written here, in so many ways that it is a long answer for them all.
First of all, many thanks to old friends who asked about my well being. Well, after several health problems I still worked fully operative in the Greek NHS, retired in Dec 2018, opened a private practice in Feb 2019, and still work and operate. In Greece we say "a bad dog does not die easily".
Second, I am amazed at the extent of drafting and calculations Phil made in his two contributions: My request is for a tray that is good to carry cutlery and crockery - in the Greek countryside most meals during the summer (incl May and September) are best outside, (al fresco, as the Italians call it), and trays for carrying are never enough. So, whether it will take major dishes is theoretical question. How big is a big plate? (nowadays plates are all shapes and sizes, and famous restaurants specialise in serving a huge plate with a tiny cabbage leaf in the middle and a quail egg on it, so good appetite). It is the proportions that interest me more - how can this technique of jointless tray can show light and ethereal and not too bulky without compromising the strength? what wood ca nI find to have enough strength beauty and not cost the earth?). The mention of thickening the handles is very wise, it will add "body" to the item and interest to the technique.
Then, there is one thing I can tell you certainly about potters in the ancient times ("pythoi" - in singular "pythos" - flourished in Minoan Crete, and are still made in the same way, look it up, it is interesting). Because pots were difficult to carry in ancient times, the potters would move from area to area and make the pots there - so there is absolute need for a knock-down tray as the potter was practically a nomad.
Finally, it is the challenge this presents - I agree with Steve, the very minute I saw it I thought "I want to make one" and I brought the subject here to see what opinions I could gather and it has proved a very interesting discussion.
Thank you PhilBa for all your work on this (what a nice work in your site), Chuck you are a good friend, Stick your advice and expertise always wanted (Encyclopedia Woodworkica!), Nick, Herb (should I go for free edge for this tray like you did in the flower pot you made some time ago?), Steve, and Tom.
My very best wishes to you all - I have other priorities now, but this discussion helped me a lot and the pics of Phil's trays show a very pleasant harmony between external and internal curves at the handles, and I may spend more time designing it than it takes for my usual stuff.
A Happy New Year to all.