This is extremely rare silver and crystal basket. It is all original AND OF MUSEUM QUALITY. this basket was used as a fancy table center for flowers, or serving fruit or desserts. There are finely detailed silver repoussé 3 dimensional leaves and fruit applied around the basket. It has a swing handle which can be placed standing or down. It is pedestal footed, and has its original and perfect hand blown and hand cut crystal liner (In this period these crystal liners, 'made to measure', were usually made by Baccarat, St Louis or other fine crystal making companies.). The repoussé 3-dimensional leaves and fruit are separately applied around the basket. Each of these leaves and fruit are made of thin sheets of silver which have been cut and shaped into the fruit and leaf  shapes, then etched and repoussé. Two of these shaped pieces are applied back-to-back to created the full 3 dimensional effect. One shows on the inside through the crystal and one on the outside so that they look 3 dimensional. These repousse fruit and leaves test for the European 800 sterling silver. The silver composition is not marked for the rest of the basket. The workmanship is truly exceptional!
The impressed Hallmark has the Kayser eagle with the word Kayser beneath. It is probable that this piece is a design c1860-90 period of Engelbert, an artist and son of the owner and who was part of the famous J P Kayser Sohn company of Cologne, Germany established 1814. Engelbert formed a special design 'atelier' in the late1800s to bring the company into the "new age" of design. He hired well known German artists to design and make special artistic pieces. This work spanned the Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Jugendstil and Romantic periods. The materials most often used were 800 fine or sterling silver; silverplate and/or the metal named Kayserzinn (which is a combination of silver and tin which resembles fine silver). This "new age artistic" work won gold medals for the company at many world exhibitions. Kayser art work is sought after by collectors around the world. Here is offered a rare example of this exquisite workmanship that would grace any home or collection.
Condition: Immaculate -NO flaws! This piece is clean, all original and in perfect condition. (The basket has no breaks, no repairs, no noticeable scratches. The crystal liner is perfect and in immaculate condition.
Size: Height is 10" to top of handle, 5" to top of basket liner. The basket is 10" at its length and 8" at its width in oval diameter, and 4 1/2" by 4" at its oval base. It weighs about 3 lbs. (1400gms)
I am retired and downsizing.
 Shipping: All special items are triple wrapped, double boxed, tracked and insured. The shipping price includes the cost of insurance. Pieces can be shipped expedited or special delivery upon request.