A rare George III "Bat Wing" Sweetmeat Basket made in London in 1792 by Robert Hennell.
A rare George III "Bat Wing" Sweetmeat Basket made in London in 1792 by Robert Hennell.
374528
This very pretty basket stands on an oval foot with reeded base and sides pierced with vertical pails with roundels above. The main body has a reeded rim and is modelled in the very rare "Bat Wing" form, which is very seldom seen today. The main body is pierced with the same pails as seen on the foot and is also engraved with bright cut foliate spears and prick dot bands. The arched handle is also modelled to reflect the Bat Wing shape of the body. The bowl is engraved with a contemporary Lion Rampant Crest and both the main body, and handle, are well marked. This piece is in most excellent condition. The bat wing design is rarely seen and was mostly produced by Henry Chawner. This is the first time we have seen it coming from the Hennell workshops.
Sweetmeat Baskets were exact miniatures of the full sized bread baskets and were used to contain early sweet confections, such as sugar covered nuts.
Length: 7 inches, 17.5 cm.
Width: 5.1 inches, 12.75 cm.
Height to the rim: 2.5 inches, 6.25 cm.
Height, to the top of the handle: 6 inches, 15cm.
Weight: 6 oz.
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![](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://www.marycooke.co.uk/british-silver-1760-1830/a-rare-george-iii-bat-wing-sweetmeat-basket-made-in-london-in-1792-by-robert-hennell&media=https://seek-unique-co.s3.amazonaws.com/marycooke-8876-Qfhef-OE67/stock/62603881e3f24_image_url_rh703a.jpg&description=This very pretty basket stands on an oval foot with reeded base and sides pierced with vertical pails with roundels above. The main body has a reeded rim and is modelled in the very rare "Bat Wing" form, which is very seldom seen today. The main body is pierced with the same pails as seen on the foot and is also engraved with bright cut foliate spears and prick dot bands. The arched handle is also modelled to reflect the Bat Wing shape of the body. The bowl is engraved with a contemporary Lion Rampant Crest and both the main body, and handle, are well marked. This piece is in most excellent condition. The bat wing design is rarely seen and was mostly produced by Henry Chawner. This is the first time we have seen it coming from the Hennell workshops.Sweetmeat Baskets were exact miniatures of the full sized bread baskets and were used to contain early sweet confections, such as sugar covered nuts.Length: 7 inches, 17.5 cm.Width: 5.1 inches, 12.75 cm.Height to the rim: 2.5 inches, 6.25 cm.Height, to the top of the handle: 6 inches, 15cm.Weight: 6 oz.){kind=link}