CAKE-BASKET. 1761.
Maker, Edward Romer.
(In possession of Messrs. Garrard & Co.)
WEDGWOOD CREAM-WARE BASKET.
(In collection of author.)
The Bread-basket
The last half of the eighteenth century saw the growth and development of pierced sheet silver with its varied styles, and concomitant with the sheet work there are examples exhibiting a fine perfection in wire work. Pierced bread- or cake-baskets with cable band are features of this period. The pierced mustard-pot, decanter stand, and other similar articles were common. Oval pierced baskets were introduced, with handles, in the reign of George II (1727-60). Originally they were possibly for bread only. Some collectors determine this by the pattern on some of them of wheat-ears (see example illustrated [p. 289]). By the time of George III they were elaborately pierced and chased and massive, and had feet. In other examples about the middle of the century they had no feet, and were more basket-like in form. There was an example in the Dunn-Gardner collection of a bread-basket in imitation of wicker basket-work. This bears the London hall-marks for the year 1733 and the maker’s initials P. L., a crown and star above, and a fleur-de-lis below, for Paul de Lamerie, the maker.
The page of four examples ([p. 289]) illustrates the types prevalent from 1745 to 1775. The top left-hand specimen is of wire work ornamented by wheat-ears.