Description

An early English silver basket of oval form with a fruiting vine decorated swing handle and traditional bead borders. First year of George III’s reign. Very heavy weight. The attractive wirework design has applied decoration of vine leaves, bunches of grapes and wheat stalks which have been stamped and chased and then soldered onto the wires. This type of ornament shows that this basket would originally have been used for fruit or bread.

Weight 1369 grams, 44 troy ounces.

Height 28 cms to top of handle). Top measures 35.5 x 30 cms.

London 1760.

Maker Arthur Annesley.

Sterling silver.

Literature: Fruit Baskets are nearly always described as cake baskets but were more commonly used for bread and fruit. Although 17th century versions are known to exist they were not commonly found until about 1735 onwards. Early examples usually have side handles or no handles and tend to be considerably heavier than George III examples and later.

This lovely antique basket is in very good condition. Stamped on the base with a full set of clear English silver hallmarks, the handle is unmarked. There are some minor dents to the bottom rim and a number of pin prick marks in the bottom centre. Please note that this item is not new and will show moderate signs of wear commensurate with age. Reflections in the photograph may detract from the true representation of this item.

Maker: Arthur Annesley

Arthur Annesley, an intriguing 18th century London silver maker. No record of Annesley's apprenticeship or freedom. Only recorded maker's mark was entered as largeworker on 23 March 1758; four years later - bankrupt. No other record of silver bearing mark. He subsequently worked in Rotterdam. His unique and highly original condiment set is on display in the V & A museum, London. Based on John Linnell's design, published in A New Book of Ornaments Useful for Silver-Smith's etc by Gabriel Smith (1724-1783), the form and decoration of the vases demonstrate a highly imaginative interpretation of the Rococo style. A combination of Chinoiserie and naturalism in the pagoda-shape covers and applied plant and animal ornament. This set is the only known 18th-century silver to use Linnell's designs, although a coffee pot in the V&A (museum no. M.18-1981) made nearly 100 years later by Robert Garrard is after a Linnell design.

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