THE ANTROBUS BASKET. A very unusual and exceptionally fine George III Fruit or Bread Basket made in London in 1810 by Joseph Story & William Elliott.
THE ANTROBUS BASKET. A very unusual and exceptionally fine George III Fruit or Bread Basket made in London in 1810 by Joseph Story & William Elliott.
182580
The Basket stands on four cast winged paw feet decorated with unusual palm leaves. The base displays a frieze of scrolls, flower heads and blue bell drops on a matted ground. The main body has an egg and dart rim, enclosing a beautifully detailed, crisp, pierced trailing vine and grape band. The vine band is joined to the base with a band of entwined reeded arch work. The plain base is engraved with a contemporary Armorial surrounded by a detailed cartouche of drapery mantling. The silver base of the basket has a wooden underside, as seen with silver based wine coasters. This is a truly exceptional piece in terms of production, as would be expected from these silversmiths. The design is particularly unusual and may well have been a special commission, however it is significantly influenced by the work of the Royal silversmiths Paul Storr and John Bridge. The basket is fully marked on the underside and with the makers mark, sterling mark and duty mark on the side of the base where the Armorial is engraved.
The Arms are those of Antrobus, for Sir Edmund Antrobus, 1st Baronet, created 1815, FRS, FSA, of Antrobus Hall, County Chester. He died unmarried in 1826 and was succeeded, by Special Remainder, by his nephew Sir Edmund, as the 2nd Baronet. The Antrobuses are a family of great antiquity in County Chester. The Antrobus family are also Lords of the Manor of Amesbury, County Wiltshire.
The Basket is of a most attractive size and when not in use would be a most beautiful piece to have on display.
Length: 12 inches, 30cm
Width: 10 inches, 25cm
Weight: 51oz.
1810
London
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