A very rare George III Wirework Bread/Fruit Basket made in London in 1800 by John Wakelin I & Robert Garrard I.
A very rare George III Wirework Bread/Fruit Basket made in London in 1800 by John Wakelin I & Robert Garrard I.
375111
This was a design which was peculiar to the workshops of Wakelin & Garrard. The basket has a deep circular form with thirty two reeded wire loops, attached to a Herring Bone pattern rim. The bowl consists of a circular disc and the main body stands on a circular spreading foot, also decorated with herring bone pattern. The tapering arched handle is decorated with reeding and the base is of a good weight, as the wires are of a thick gauge. The basket is in quite excellent condition and is fully marked on the underside of the foot and with the sterling mark on the underside of the handle.
This famous firm descended from the important George Wickes workshops and was to culminate in the appointment of Robert Garrard as Crown Jeweller and Royal Silversmith to Queen Victoria. The design of this piece echoes the unusual simplicity of design which was popular in the 1790's. These baskets seldom turn up and a near identical example can be seen on page 196 of the catalogue of the English, Irish and Scottish Silver in the Sterling and Francine Clark Institute. This piece is offered at a very good price considering the amount a similar example made at Christie's in New York.
Diameter, at the rim: 10.9 inches, 27.25 cm.
Height to the rim: 5 inches, 12.5 cm.
Height, to the top of the handle: 10 inches, 25 cm.
Weight: 30oz.
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