ENGRAVED/PIERCED
MID 19th CENTURY
SILVER on COPPER
FOOTED BASKET
RAMS HEADS
Estimated to have been made around the mid-1800s this superbly shaped fruit or flower basket is raised on a decorative pierced foot the form of which echoes the pretty outline to the rim of the basket proper. The rims to both are finished with a reeded border. A well-defined engraved and pierced ram’s head/mask is emblazoned to the centre Of each of the ‘lobes’ of this otherwise ovoid basket.
We think this is probably made by the Old Sheffield Plate method but
hold back on declaring this as we are only 90% sure.
It has the glorious deep shine and
mirror finish associated with silver over copper plating with just a few
‘bleeds’ in evidence these are mainly to the foot and rims and a part circle to
the centre of the inner. Apart from the above mentioned there are some fine
unobtrusive dots here and there; it is without structural fault and sits well.
Displays really well.