Bowl / Dish / Basket

English antique silver bowls can be found dating back to the early 1600’s and these shallow porringers, with a single pierced side handle, were made for a specific purpose. When Tea was introduced into England during the 17th century the first small bowls appeared which were Tea Bowls, circa 1680, followed by small antique silver Sugar Bowls in c.1710, the early examples often with covers. The larger Antique Silver Punch Bowls were introduced in the late 17th century. Food at this time was heavily spiced and a cooling drink was needed such as wine or the newly fashionable punch. Hence the requirement for a large bowl which could be filled with either a drink or ice. Some were fitted with a shaped removable rim which could be used to hold stem glasses, punch ladle and lemon squeezer and a bowl of this type is referred to as a Monteith.

Antique Silver Dishes were originally made for very specific purposes such as the shell “butter” dishes and scalloped “strawberry dishes” (also known as “salad dishes”) which first appeared in the early 1700’s. During the later 18th and 19th centuries an extensive range of small open silver dishes evolved which make a practical addition to any dining table.

Antique Silver Baskets. Large 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. Sweetmeat Baskets are usually miniature versions of a cake basket of the same period. This useful item is still made today but with a change of use as a bonbon or sugar basket (sugar baskets are either unpierced or contain a glass liner).

Bowl / Dish / Basket

1625
Robert Profit
9989 Charles I Antique Silver Bowl
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An extremely early date. A rare antique silver porringer (or bleeding bowl) of plain circular form. The straight sided shape with a simple rim is the earliest type and in keeping with the early date. Small proportions and very charming with the original hand beaten finish. A useful serving bowl, handy for nuts and sweets. Prick marked on the edge of the rim with the initials “MC”. Weight 108 grams, 3.4 troy ounces. Diameter 10.3cm. Height 3.5 cm. Spread 14cm. London 1625. Maker “RP” possibly Robert Profit (David Mitchell’s “Silversmiths in Elizabethan and Stuart London”).
1640

10405 Charles I Antique Silver Sweetmeat Dish
£5,500

A very beautiful 17th century silver dish with leaf side handles, dating back to the first half of the 1600’s. Of circular form, hand decorated with a segmented foliate design and a central cartouche with concentric punches. This form is sometimes described as a wine taster however this example doesn’t have the domed centre for viewing the colour of the wine. Excellent patina. Weight 124g, 3.9 troy oz. Spread 21cm. Diameter 15cm. Height 2.3cm. London 1640. Maker “IM”. Sterling silver.
1641

10277 Charles I Antique Silver Wine Taster
£4,950

An early English silver taster of a rare boat shaped form with simple shaped side handles. The decoration is typical for the period, the body having a fluted design with punched dots and a flower head to the centre. Dishes from this period are occasionally referred to as sweetmeat dishes. Weight 88 grams, 2.8 troy ounces. Length 15.2cm. Width 9.6/12.5cm. Height 2.2/3.9cm. London 1641. No maker’s mark. Sterling silver. 17th century.
1673
George Watkins
10182 Charles II Antique Silver Wine Taster
£2,750

A rare early English miniature wine taster from the reign of Charles II. Very charming size. This little cup has a circular form with simple wirework handles and embossed grape decoration. Weight 21 grams, less than 1 troy ounce. Height 2 cm approx. Diameter of top 6.1cm. Spread across handles 8.9cm. London 1673. Made by George Watkins. Sterling silver.
Circa 1685

9779 Antique Dutch Silver Brandy Bowl
£1,650

An antique Dutch silver bowl with lobed decoration and cast pierced handles showing three children climbing on a grape vine. Good large size. Weight 213 grams, 6.8 troy ounces. Height 6cm. Spread 24.21cm. Diameter 14.3cm. Dutch silver marks for Haarlem 1740.
Circa 1700
Jacob Warnberger
10358 Antique Augsburg Silver Dish
£1,950

An excellent early German silver plaque of oval form with a decorative embossed design. The centre depicts a forest scene with a gentleman riding a horse accompanied by a lady riding side saddle; a young page boy leads the way. The raised leafy border portrays a deer hunt and a pack of dogs are chasing 3 deer. Weight 142 grams, 4.5 troy ounces. Length 23.5cm. Width 20cm. Augsburg, Germany. Maker Jacob Warnberger. Circa 1700.
1708 - 1709
William Charnelhouse
10379 Queen Anne Antique Silver Monteith
£12,750

A spectacular sized antique silver bowl with the original castellated collar mounted with shaped strapwork and fleur de lys motifs. Very handsome design and excellent proportions. The bowl design is typical for a monteith of the period 1700-1720 with its plain form on a built-up foot and the large hand engraved coat of arms. Weight 2597g, 83 troy oz. Height 26.5cm (with Monteith collar), 20cm (bowl). Diameter 35cm (collar), 32cm (bowl). London 1708/09. Maker William Charnelhouse. Britannia standard silver – 95.8% pure. 18th century.
1709
Nathaniel Lock
10208 Queen Anne Antique Silver Dish
£5,500

An early English antique silver bowl with scalloped edge and unusually deep bowl with 16 segments. This form is usually called a strawberry dish or salad dish. Hand engraved to the centre is a family armorial, incorporating a swan, within a decorative cartouche. Britannia standard silver. Superb colour. Weight 519 grams, 16.6 troy ounces. Height 5cm. Diameter 23.3cm. London 1709. Maker Nathaniel Lock.
1724 - 1728
Johann Christoph Treffler
9884 Early 18th Century German Silver Ecuelle and Cover
£6,750

A rare and highly desirable antique silver bowl with matching lid, the cast side handles with face masks and foliate scroll work. Handy size, suitable for serving vegetables. The cover, applied with portrait medallions and three scroll and dolphin feet, can be inverted for use as a bowl stand or a spoon tray. The rim of the bowl and cover are hand engraved with decorative strapwork designs. The centre top has a large monogram with intertwined initials in old fashioned script, repeated to the outside of the bowl (worn). Weight 391 grams, 12.5 troy oz. Height 6cm (bowl), 9.5cm (bowl and lid). Diameter 13.4cm. Spread 22cm. German silver marks for Augsburg. Maker Johann Christoph Treffler 1724-28.
1734
Paul de Lamerie
10326 George II Antique Silver Dishes by Paul de Lamerie
£14,750

An important pair of antique silver second course dishes by the celebrated Huguenot maker Paul de Lamerie. The plates have a generous, dished bowl with a shaped, reed and shell border. There is a hand engraved crest to the edge of the rim. Total weight 1988 grams, 63.9 troy oz. Diameter 28.5cm. Height 3.8cm. London 1734. Maker Paul de Lamerie. Sterling silver. 18th century.
1748
Samuel Taylor
9867 George II Covered Sugar Bowl
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A rare antique sterling silver covered sugar bowl of circular form on a small spreading foot. Excellent plain design, typical of the period. Good colour. In the early 18th century sugar bowls or sugar boxes nearly always had covers which, when reversed, could be used as a saucer or spoon tray. Weight 219 grams, 7.0 troy ounces. Total height 9cm. Bowl diameter 9.7cm. London 1748. Maker probably Samuel Taylor a specialist tea caddy and sugar bowl maker.
1753
Samuel Herbert And Company
9906 George II Silver Basket
£2,250

An elegant antique silver basket of oval form with a swing handle and rope borders. The simple basket weave decoration creates a clean classical style. Hand engraved to the centre is a large armorial within a decorative cartouche, the motto below reads “In Cruce Salus”. These handy multi-purpose serving baskets were originally used for bread and fruit but now are equally perfect for cakes or flowers. Weight 773 grams, 24.8 troy ounces. Height 7.7cm (26 cms to top of handle). Top measures 33 x 24.5cm. London 1753. Maker Samuel Herbert & Co. Sterling silver
1754
Samuel Taylor
9723 George II Silver Sugar Bowl
£675

An antique silver bowl with extensive embossed decoration of flowers, leaves and scrolls. To the front is a rococo design cartouche – uninscribed. Superb quality and heavy gauge silver. No lid. Weight 222g, 7.1 troy oz. Height 8.4cm. Diameter 10.5cm
. London 1754. Maker Samuel Taylor. Sterling silver.
1758
Samuel Herbert And Company
9835 George II Silver Basket
£8,750

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.
1760
Arthur Annesley
9745 George III Silver Basket
£2,750

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.
1764
William Plummer
10318 George III Antique Silver Basket
£3,750

A magnificent antique silver basket of oval form with swing handle. The decoration is very fine with excellent quality hand cut pierced work to the body. Both the upper border and bottom frieze are cast with flowers, scrolls, and bells. Very good weight and colour. Weight 1540 grams, 49.5 troy oz. Height 28cm (total including handle). Top measures 37 x 32cm. London 1764. Maker William Plummer. Sterling silver.
1771
William Plummer
10346 George III Antique Silver Basket
£2,750

A handsome antique silver basket of oval form with swing handle and applied oval foot with rope trim. Lovely decorative detail with embossed swags of harebells and classical medallions. Excellent quality hand cut pierced work to the body. Very good size and colour. Hand engraved to the centre is family coat of arms within a finely executed floral cartouche. Weight 1148 grams, 36.9 troy oz. Height 28cm (total including handle). Top measures 35.5 x 29.5cm. London 1771. Maker William Plummer. Sterling silver.
Circa 1780

9862 Georgian Silver Basket
£1,250

A superb antique silver swing handle basket with pierced work silver body and bead borders. Lovely classical style with bands of matting and Roman emperor face masks. In the centre there are hand engraved crests of a stag and unicorn within a decorative cartouche. Weight 1143 grams, 36.7 troy ounces. Length 37cm. Width 28cm. Height 10.3cm, 27cm (to top of handle). Unmarked silver. Circa 1780. English sterling silver.
1790
Henry Green
9744 George III Antique Silver Shell Dishes
£875

A pretty pair of antique silver butter dishes in the form of a scallop shell. Simple design with a plain reed border. Charming little whelk shell feet. Weight 233 grams, 7.45 troy ounces. Each measures 14.1×13.1cm. Height 3.5cm. London 1788/90. Maker Henry Green. Sterling silver.
1793
Henry Green
10292 George III Antique Silver Shell Dishes
£750

An attractive pair of antique silver dishes modelled as scallop shells with charming little whelk shell feet. Hand engraved fleur de lys crest. Simple plain design and perfect to use for serving butter, nuts, or sweets. Weight 191 grams, 6.1 troy oz. Height 3.1cm. Top measures 14.3×12.5cm. London 1793. Maker Henry Green. Sterling silver. 18th century.
1796
Henry Chawner And John Emes
7063 George III Sugar Basket
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A classic design antique sterling silver bonbon basket with swing handle and pedestal foot. Very attractive oval boat shape. Pretty bright cut engraving to the body and foot and there is a decorative cartouche to the front and back (uninscribed). Original gilt interior. Weight 192 grams, 6.1 troy ounces. Height 9.5 cms (15 cms to top of handle). Length 12.75 cms. Width 8.5 cms. London 1796. Maker Henry Chawner and John Emes.
1805
William Fountain
10353 George III Antique Silver Bowl
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An antique silver bowl of plain circular form on a stepped foot with broad gadrooned borders. The decoration is very striking with the single band of matted ornament with applied bacchanalian face masks and magnificent twin coiling rope handles each culminating in basket of fruit. Good size and substantial weight. Weight 3784g, 121.6 troy oz. Height 22.4cm (to top of handle). Spread across handles 35cm. Diameter 25cm. London 1805. Maker William Fountain. Sterling silver.
1807
Mary Troby
10408 George III Antique Silver Table Centrepiece
£3,500

An elegant antique silver centerpiece complete with matching suite of contemporary cut crystal bowls. Plain oval shape with 4 detachable arms, classical ram’s heads with looped chains, and paw feet. The glass bowls can be used separately. The weight of silver is 1297 grams, 41.7 troy ounces. Height 24.25 cms. Spread 47 cms. Bowls 29.5 x 20.5/13 x 9 cms. All pieces marked London 1807. Maker Mary Troby. Sterling silver.
1808
John Clarke II
10336 George III Antique Silver Basket
£12,750

A large rococo revival cake basket in the style of Paul de Lamerie and combining the flamboyant features typical of the Regency period. Very heavy weight. The quality of the workmanship is exceptional, with elaborate piercing and hand chased mythical beasts, flower scrolls and trellis work. The cast fixed handle is supported by bold female figure head models. The centre is expansively engraved with a coat of arms to the centre, possibly for the Lloyd family. Weight 3631g, 116.7 troy oz. Height 31cm. Top measures 36.5 x 29.5cm. London 1808. Maker’s mark IC probably for John Clarke II. Sterling silver.
1827
David Crichton Rait
10222 George IV Antique Silver Bowl
£4,950

A magnificent Scottish antique silver centrepiece bowl with deep repousse decoration of flowers and foliage. The centre has the original bright gilding. Fantastic quality, large size and heavy gauge silver. To the front is an interesting presentation inscription. Weight 1567 grams, 30.3 troy oz. Diameter 26.2cm. Height 13.4cm. Glasgow 1827. Maker David Crichton Rait. Sterling silver. 19^th century.
1834
William Barber
9979 Antique Silver Bowl
£750

A magnificent antique sterling silver cream bowl with a bright gilt interior; the two side handles formed as intertwined serpents. To the front and back there are classical scenes of the god Neptune with sea horses and mermen. Weight 526 grams, 16.9 troy ounces. Height 8.5cm. Rim diameter 13.4cm. Spread 19cm. London 1834. Maker William Barber. Sterling silver.
1846
Edward Barnard & Sons
9822 Antique Silver Cream Pail
£650

A good quality antique silver cream pail with swing handle and gadroon borders. Very pretty and multi purpose. The charmingly pierced decoration shows a cow grazing in the forest with flying birds, a house, beehive, and windmill. With removable blue glass liner. Weight of silver 174 grams, 5.5 troy ounces. Height 8cm, 12cm with handle. Diameter 7.3cm. London 1846. Maker John, Edward, Walter & John Barnard (Barnard & Sons Ltd).
1902
James Deakin & Sons
10354 Antique Silver Centrepiece Suite
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A beautiful antique silver epergne set with a matching pair of tall dishes. The pierced decoration is particularly attractive with flowers, scrolls and heart shaped ornament. The epergne has five bowls which can be detached and used separately. The pair of tazzas are raised on tall decorative feet and have a shaped cast border. There is a presentation inscription on the centrepiece front and all the dishes are engraved to the centre with a monogram of entwined letters in old fashioned script. Total weight 3,153g, 101.3 troy oz.
Epergne weight 1,876g, 60.3 troy oz, height 25cm, spread 52.5cm. Large bowl 32 x 22.2cm. Small bowl 17.4cm x 12.4cm. Side dishes total weight 1286g, 41.3troy oz, height 15cm, bowl 31 x 23cm. All pieces London 1902. Maker James Deakin & Sons. Sterling silver
1903
William Comyns
9813 Antique Silver Basket
£675

An excellent antique silver swing handle basket with wirework body. Charming period style. The applied vine leaf decoration is highlighted with bunches of grapes and little bees. Weight 446 grams, 14.3 troy ounces. Length 25.5cm. Width 21.5cm. Height 5.9cm (without handle). London 1903. Maker William Comyns. Sterling silver.