This lovely ca 1900 water lily cut work basket was made by The Merrill Shops, high quality custom work silversmiths in New York City,  for sale by J.E. Caldwell & Co., prestigious high end retailers in Pennsylvania, Pa. Quite Art Nouveau in design, it has cut work water lily blossoms and leaves with swirling stalks- all hand engraved. The rim and swing handle have deep parallel grooves which have an Art Deco look. The basket sits on four paw feet. 

The cobalt glass liner is not original. It was blown to fit the basket by an art glass studio in our town, and the match is a good one. 

It is 4 1/8" diameter, 2 1/2" to the top of the bowl and 5" high to the top of the handle. The silver weighs 92 grams ( 3 troy ounces). There is a small monogram inscribed on the bottom of the basket: HM.  We didn't give it a high polish, but one could certainly put a sheen on it, if desired.

All this little beauty needs is some sugar cubes, some tasty sugar tongs and it is ready for the dining table or the absinthe bar.