Description

A magnificent George II silver basket of oval form with excellent quality hand cut pierced work and a Chinoiserie theme. This really is a very fine example. Both the upper border and bottom frieze are cast with flowers, scrolls, and Chinese face masks. The swing handle has a cast figure of a Chinese lady to both sides. The centre is beautifully engraved with a coat of arms within a large decorative cartouche. Very good weight and colour.

Weight 1770 grams, 56.9 troy oz.
Height 30cm (total including handle), 12cm (basket only).
Top measures 38 x 32cm.
London 1758.
Maker Samuel Herbert & Co.
Sterling silver.

View our article on chinoiserie silver

Marks. Stamped on the side with a full set of clear English silver hallmarks, handle unmarked.

Arms. These are the marital arms of James of Cathedine, Breconshire and his Leventhorpe wife

Literature. Antique Silver 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 these baskets 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. The cast decoration and engravings are still crisp.

Maker: Samuel Herbert And Company

Samuel Herbert, London silversmith, apprenticed 1736 to Edward Aldridge I, of the Clothworkers Company, and goldsmith of Gutter Lane. Free 1744. 1st mark as largeworker entered 1747. 2nd mark as Samuel Herbert & Co 1750 (initials SH.HB), in parnership with Henry Bailey who was apprenticed to and then journeyman to Edward Aldridge (the Constable’s Book for the precinct of St Leonard’s, which included the southern part of Foster Lane, includes Bayley and Herbert in the list of New Comers in 1750. In 1763 Herbert took Burrage Davenport as apprentice. Herbert’s workshop specialised in pierced platework particularly baskets and some epergnes.

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