Baskets
Antique Silver 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).
Baskets
Antique Silver 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).
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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1796
Henry Chawner And John Emes
7063 George III Sugar Basket
Sold
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.
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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.
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