Silver Collection

Basket

Silver

Origin : London

Date : 1738-1739

37.6 cm length; 30.8 cm width; 25.5 cm height; 2101 g weight

Marks/Maker : London, sterling standard, 1738-9, maker's mark of (Charles) Frederick Kandler

Heraldry : Possibly arms of Jones (nineteenth century)

Bequeathed by J. Reginald Jones, 1951; WA1951.51.10

T. Schroder (2009), no. 249

The decorative scheme for this basket is unique, particularly the flat-chased floral design surrounding the coat of arms, perhaps derived from printed fabric or wallpaper, and the cast ornament combining the shells, foliage and burnished scrolls. In a more general sense, the cast feet and apron of the basket represent a new trend in design, which succeeded the pierced rim foot of earlier baskets. The Ceres masks (goddess of agriculture) flanked by crossed wheat ears allude to the basket's function as a bread basket.

Information derived from T. Schroder, British and Continental Gold and Silver in the Ashmolean (2009)