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Antique Silver Dishes were originally made for very specific purposes such as the shell “butter” dishes and scalloped “strawberry dishes” (also known as “salad dishes”) which first appeared in the early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

Circa 1600

9453 Antique Nuremberg Silver Wine Taster
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A rare piece of early German silver dating back to circa 1600. A charming little silver taster with scalloped borders and shaped side handles. The centre is engraved with a single flower and leaf motifs picked out with prick dot chasing. The scalloped sides also have prick dot decoration, possibly crown motifs. The interior still has its original gilt finish and the exterior retains traces of the original gilt. Weight 47 grams, 1.5 troy ounces. Width across handles 10.1cm. Height 3.1cm. Top 8.3cm. German silver hallmarks stamped around the edge for Nuremberg circa 1600. Maker Wolff Loschen.
Circa 1631
William Maddox
9605 Antique Charles I Silver Wine Taster
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A rare early 17th century sterling silver dish with applied shell side handles and scalloped rim. Unusual large size. Although quite shallow, this is more probably a wine taster than a sweetmeat dish. The embossed decoration has 10 segments containing flower motifs. The centre has a prick dot circle containing flower heads and a shield shaped cartouche with a simple coat of arms. Weight 217 grams, 6.9 troy ounces. Width across handles 25.6 cm. Diameter 19.2 cm. English silver hallmarks stamped on the edge for London. Circa 1631. Maker William Maddox.
1634
Thomas Maundy
8190 Antique Charles I Silver Wine Taster
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A rare and very beautiful 17th century sterling silver dish with pretty little shell side handles. Although rather shallow, this is more probably a wine taster than a sweetmeat dish. The embossed decoration has 8 segments containing scroll and other motifs. The centre is embossed with concentric prick dot circles containing flowers; inside there are 4 leaves and a shield shaped cartouche with scratched initials “TO” over “EF” to the reverse . Weight 95 grams, 3 troy ounces. Width across handles 18.35 cm. Diameter 11.6 cms. English silver hallmarks stamped around the edge for London 1634. Maker Thomas Maundy* (Jacksons P.119).
Circa 1650
Hans Jakob Baur
8683 Antique Augsburg Silver Dish
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An early antique German silver dish (or possibly wine taster) of plain oval form with a scalloped border. To the centre there is a charming bird scene surrounded by raised dot decoration. The cast side handles are very pretty. Original interior gilding and a gilt around the top on the outside. Weight 129 grams, 4.1 troy ounces. Height 3 cms (4.5 cms to top of handle). Top of dish measures 16 x 14 cms. Marked on either side of one of the handles with German silver marks for Augsburg and on the inside rim with the makers mark for Hans Jakob Baur. Circa 1650.
1654

7794 Antique Commonwealth Silver Wine Taster
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A rare early English silver dish of circular shallow form with simple wire handles. The design of punched beading and lobes is typical of the period and forms a flower design in the base of the bowl. Weight 41 grams, 1.3 troy ounces. Height 2 cms. Diameter 8 cms. Spread across handles 10.5 cms. English silver hallmarks stamped around the edge for London 1654. Makers mark IW* (Jacksons P.120).
1655

7013 Commonwealth Period Silver Gilt Wine Taster
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A rare and very beautiful 17th century sterling silver dish with original gilt finish. With leaf side handles and decorated with plants and flowers. Although rather shallow, this is probably a wine taster. The centre is engraved with prick dots and initials M over I*R. Weight 186 grams, 6 troy ounces. Width across handles 23 cm. Diameter 17 cms. English silver hallmarks stamped around the edge for London 1655. Makers mark ‘M’ over a star (Jacksons P.121).
Circa 1655

10189 Commonwealth Period Antique Silver Wine Taster
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A superb early English silver dish of circular shallow form with simple wire handles. Very rare and charming small size. The design of punched beading and lobes is typical of the period and forms a flower design in the base of the bowl. Stamped around the rim with owner’s initials “ALS”. Weight 19 grams, less than one troy ounce. Height 2.2cm (to top of handle). Diameter 6.2cm. Spread across handles 8.5cm. London circa 1655. Maker “WH.” 17th century.
Circa 1660
Reinhold Ruhl
8290 Early Antique Nurnberg Silver Wine Taster
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A rare piece of early German silver. This charming little 17th century silver taster has scalloped borders and shaped side handles. The centre is embossed with a single flower stem surrounded by simple leaf motifs picked out with prick dot chasing. Traces of the original gilt finish, Weight 41 grams, 1.3 troy ounces. Width across handles 11.5 cm. Height 2.7 cms. Top 10.4 x 9.8 cms. German silver hallmarks stamped around the edge for Nurnberg circa 1660. Maker Reinhold Ruhl, noted for his fine quality cups and beakers.
1661
Richard Farmer
9659 Charles II Silver Charger
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A rare antique silver dish dating from Charles II period having the high relief embossing of animals, flowers and foliage, typical of the period. The quality of the decoration is excellent and the animals (lion, dog, stag and deer) are very charming. Weight 1172 grams, 31.1 troy ounces. Scratchweight 38=14. Diameter 41cm. London 1661. Maker “RF”, probably Richard Farmer (page 122 Jacksons Silver and Gold Marks”. Sterling silver.
1667
William Norman
9673 Charles II Gilt Silver Salver on Foot
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An outstanding piece of early English silver. A rare antique silver tazza, dating from Charles II period, having a plain form, thick gadroon borders, and a bright gilt finish. To the centre is a large, hand engraved coat of arms within a plumage feathers cartouche, very typical of the period. The quality of the piece is excellent and the finish is very crisp. Weight 1135 grams, 36.4 troy ounces. Diameter 33cm. Height 6.2cm. Sterling silver. London 1667. Maker “WN ”, probably William Norman* (courtesy of Dr David Mitchell’s “Silversmiths in Elizabethan and Stuart London”). Maker “WN ”, probably William Norman* (courtesy of Dr David Mitchell’s “Silversmiths in Elizabethan and Stuart London”). There is a gilt salver on foot by Norman in the Duke of Portland’s collection catalogued in 1935.
1669

8705 Charles II Silver Wine Taster
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A rare early English silver dish of circular shallow form with two simple side handles. Lovely design with fleur de lys and dots to the lower body and to the centre a large flower within a circle of punched dots. Weight 77 grams, 2.4 troy ounces. Height 3 cms (4 cms to top of handle). Diameter 9.4 cms. Spread across handles 18.5 cms. English silver hallmarks stamped around the edge for London 1669. Makers mark GS (Jacksons P.127 – see photo). Sterling silver.
Circa 1670

8131 Charles II Miniature Silver Wine Taster
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A rare early English toy two-handled wine taster in sterling silver from the reign of Charles II. With a simple plain form and wirework handles. This little cup has an excellent patina and hammered finish. Contains 10 ml approx. Weight 12 grams. Height 2 cms. Diameter of top 4.5 cms. Spread across handles 6.7 cms. Marked underneath with the makers mark only “WH conjoined, mullet below”. Mark entered 1670 (see Jacksons page 130*).
Circa 1670
William Harrison
10343 Charles II Antique Silver Charger
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A rare antique silver rose water dish of substantial size dating from Charles II period. The high relief embossed decoration of flowers and foliage is typical of the time. Excellent quality. The centre is engraved with a large hand engraved armorial and crest. Weight 1258 g, 40.4 troy oz. Diameter 44.5cm. London circa 1670. Maker William Harrison. Sterling silver.
1675
Balthasar Haydt
7799 Antique German Silver Wine Taster
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A 17th century continental silver dish of small size with flat shaped side handles. To the outside there is an embossed decoration of fruit and ribbons. Very charming. Weight 93 grams, 3 troy ounces. Height 4 cms. Diameter 8.5 cms. Spread across handles 13 cms. On the base there is an assay scrape and German silver stamps for Augsburg. Maker Balthasar Haydt. Circa 1675.
Circa 1680

9734 Antique German Silver Wine Taster
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A charming little 17th century silver dish with scalloped sides and shaped side handles. The centre is embossed with a single flower stem picked out with prick dot engraving. Bold flowers, including poppies and daffodils were very popular during the mid to late 17th century. The gilt finish appears original and there is a gilt band to the outer edge. Owner’s initials “SW” engraved to one side, “EK” to the other. Weight 72 grams, 2.3 troy ounces. Width across handles 16cm. Height 2.8/3.8cm. Diameter 13cm. German silver marks stamped by the handle for maker Paul Hedel Hofer, Breslau. Circa 1680.
Circa 1680

9876 Antique German Silver Wine Taster
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A charming little 17th century silver dish with scalloped sides and shaped side handles. With a gilt finish inside and to the outside top rim. The centre is embossed throughout with shells, flowers and fruits. Weight 158 grams, 5 troy ounces. Top measures 16.5 x 12.5 cm. Width across handles 16.1 cm. Height 3.1 cm. Continental silver marks stamped by the handle. Probably German. Circa 1680.
Circa 1681

8897 Charles II Silver Alms Dish
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A rare and beautiful early English silver plate. Simple plain design with reeded border. Lovely patina and excellent original condition. Weight 171 grams, 5.4 troy ounces. Diameter 17.2 cms. Very clear markers mark only to the top edge. Circa 1681. Makers mark SH – see Jacksons page 137.
1683
Samuel Hawkes
9523 Charles II Silver Wine Taster
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A rare early English two-handled wine taster in sterling silver from the reign of Charles II. With a simple plain form and wirework handles. Excellent patina and faint signs of the hand hammered finish. Owners initials inscribed underneath. Weight 27 grams, just under 1 troy ounce. Height 2.2 cm (bowl), 3.5 cm (to top of handle). Diameter of top 6.5 cm. Spread across handles 9.2 cm. London 1683. Maker’s mark “SH” within a heart shaped shield, probably Samuel Hawkes (*see David Mitchell’s book on “Silversmiths in Stuart and Elizabethan England”).
1689
Seth Lofthouse
9940 William & Mary Antique Chinoiserie Silver Porringer
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A fascinating and rare piece of chinoiserie silver. This early English antique sterling silver porringer, or side handled cup, is flat chased with an exuberant oriental scene incorporating Chinese people and exotic birds. The large bowl, of circular form with flared lip, is ideal for use as a drinking cup or for displaying flowers. Weight 482 grams, 14.4 troy ounces. Height 12.3cm. Diameter 14cm. Spread across the handles 21.5cm. London 1689. Maker Seth Lofthouse. Sterling silver.
1696
Thomas Jenkins
9781 William III Silver Bowl
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An early English silver side handled porringer (or bleeding bowl) of plain circular form. Very charming with the original hand beaten finish. The shaped and pierced handle has initials hand engraved to the centre. A useful serving bowl, handy for nuts and sweets. Weight 285 grams, 9.1 troy ounces. Diameter 12.8 cm. Height 9.8 cm. Spread 14.5 cm. London 1696. Maker “TI two escallops between”* attributed to Thomas Jenkins (see Jackson’s “Silver & Gold Marks” and David Mitchell’s “Silversmiths in Elizabethan and Stuart London”). Sterling silver.
1697 - 1698
Robert Timbrell
10153 William III Antique Silver Bowl
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An outstanding antique silver monteith bowl complete with the original detachable collar with castellated scroll border and cherub heads. Excellent size and proportions. The body decoration is typical for a monteith of the period 1690-1702 and has a series of asymmetrical tear shaped panels interspersed with unusual foliate “face” motifs; all on an intricately hand chased matted background. The lions mask side handles are beautifully modelled. Weight 1780 grams, 57.2 troy ounces. Height 21.4cm (with Monteith collar), 15.6cm (without collar). Diameter 27.5cm (collar), 26.2cm (bowl). London 1697/8. Maker Robert Timbrell. Britannia standard silver (95.8% pure).
1698
John Smithsend
10338 Antique William III Silver Bleeding Bowl
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An early English silver side handled porringer or bleeding bowl of plain circular form. Britannia standard silver*. Very charming with the shaped pierced handle and original hand beaten finish. Hand engraved to the front is an armorial within plumage feathers, typical of the period, and there is a crest to the handle. Weight 253 grams, 8.1 troy ounces. Diameter 13.5 cm. Height 5.4 cm. Spread 20.5 cm. London 1698. Maker John Smithsend. Britannia standard silver 95.8% pure.
Circa 1700

8977 Antique Augsburg Silver Dish
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A charming little early German silver dish of oval form with a decorative embossed design. The centre depicts a village scene with country style houses and a gentleman out strolling. The raised leafy border is embellished with a garland of flowers. Weight 121 grams, 3.8 troy ounces. Length 20.5 cms. Width 18.5 cms. Marked on the top edge for Augsburg, Germany. Circa 1700.
1700
George Garthorne
9109 Antique William III Silver Bowl
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An early English silver punch bowl from the pre Queen Anne period. *Britannia standard silver. With charmingly quaint lions mask drop ring handles, the foot with a bold gadrooned border. The body decoration, typical for a monteith of the period 1690-1702, has a series of asymmetrical lobed panels intersected by spiral flutes of matted background which closely resemble cornunucopia. Weight 1200 grams, 39oz. Diameter 24.5 cm. Height 15.5 cms. London 1700. Maker George Garthorne, a specialist bowl maker.
1700

9712 Antique German Silver Dish
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An interesting piece of early German silver with a tobacco smoking scene to the centre. Original gilt interior. The little dish, or wine taster, has scalloped borders and scrolled side handles. Embossed to the centre is the figure of a man in 17^th century clothing and smoking a giant pipe; a brazier stands on the table to the left. The cartouche is formed from embossed dots and foliage in typical 17^thcentury style. Weight 95 grams, 3 troy ounces. Width across handles 13.15cm. Height 3.1cm. Top 12.8cm. German silver hallmarks stamped around the edge for Augsburg circa 1700. Maker probably “IK” unidentified.
1701
Robert Peake
7895 William III Silver Bowl
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A rare and important early English silver bowl from the pre Queen Anne period. Large size with charmingly quaint lions mask drop ring handles and the ribbed body decoration typical for this period. To the front there is a large hand engraved armorial set within a plummage scroll cartouche. Around the top there is a band of engraved leaves and fish scale chasing. Britannia standard silver*. Weight 1313 grams, 42.2 troy ounces. Height 15 cms. Diameter 27 (top) cms, 17 cms (base). London 1701. Maker Robert Peake.
1702
Richard Syng
7928 Antique Queen Anne Silver Bowl
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A rare early antique silver bowl dating from the reign of Queen Anne. Britannia standard silver*. This fine bowl has a low spreading form on a small pedestal foot with gadroon borders and fluted body. Around the top there is a decorative border with embossed motifs and fish scale. To the front of the base there is a decorative cartouche (uninscribed). Weight 645 grams, 20.7 troy ounces. Height 10.5 cms. Diameter 22.75 cms. London 1702. Maker Richard Syng, London.
1705
Benjamin Pyne
6197 Queen Anne Silver Bowl
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A rare and important early English silver bowl from the Queen Anne period. Large size with charmingly quaint lions mask side handles and the ribbed body decoration typical for this period. There is a large scroll cartouche to the front with deep chased decoration. Britannia standard silver*. Weight 1315 grams, 42.2 troy ounces. Height 16.5 cms. Diameter 27.5 cms. London 1705. Maker Benjamin Pyne.
1706
Isaac Dighton
10169 Queen Anne Antique Silver Monteith Bowl
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A rare early English silver monteith from the Queen Anne period. Large size. The decoration, with the ribbed body and decorative cartouches, is typical for this period. Particularly charming are the quaint lions mask side handles. The shaped monteith rim is fixed and was originally used to hold stem glasses, punch ladle and lemon squeezer. To the front and back there is a good hand engraved armorial for the Fitzgerald family. Underneath the bowl there is also a presentation inscription from the Fitzgerald family. Gilt interior. Weight 1895 grams, 60.9 troy ounces. Height 20cm. Diameter 29.5cm. London 1706. Maker Isaac Dighton. Britannia standard silver (95.8% pure).
1706
Daniel Sleamaker
9276 Queen Anne Silver Bowl
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An early English silver side handled porringer or bleeding bowl of plain circular form. Britannia standard silver*. Very charming with the shaped pierced handle and original hand beaten finish. Owners initials hand engraved to the handle. Weight 125 grams, 4 troy ounces. Diameter 10.8 cm. Height 4.5 cm. Spread 16.8 cm. London 1706. Maker Daniel Sleamaker.
1707
Colin McKenzie
9550 Queen Anne Silver Punch Bowl
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A rare Scottish silver bowl of exceptional size and weight. Excellent plain style. Of circular form with a reeded rim and short flared foot. The underside has a prick engraving “S.E over F” within a scroll cartouche. Scratchweight 66.19. Weight approx. 2049 grams, 65.9 troy ozs. Height 16.5cm. Diameter 34.5cm. Edinburgh 1707. Maker Colin McKenzie. Edinburgh assay master James Penman.
1708
John Tiffin
9727 Queen Anne Silver Spoon Tray
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A small antique silver dish of oval form with a ribbed and scalloped border. *Britannia standard silver. Hand engraved crest to the centre and owners initials to the reverse. Excellent colour. Weight 99 grams, 3.1 troy ounces. Top measures 16 x 9cm. Height 1.6cm. London 1708. Maker John Tiffin.