THE WESTON HALL BREAD/FRUIT BASKET. An exceptional George II Rococo Bread/Fruit Basket made in London in 1752 by Samuel Herbert & Company.

The Basket is of a large size and stands on four very unusual cast lion mask feet and displays a cast apron, pierced and chased with rocaille and foliate scrolls, Rococo shell details, in addition to female masks with plumes above.  The large deep bowl is pierced with geometric scroll work, quatrefoil motifs and fan designs.  The cast and applied rim displays crisp fruiting vines, scrolls and Rococo shells.  The hinged central swing handle is centred by a vacant asymmetric shield and issues from very detailed cast dolphin head mouldings.  The handle is also decorated with scale work chasing to simulate the body of the dolphin and leaf capping.  The centre of the bowl is engraved with the lozenge shaped Armorial of a Lady surrounded by a shell and foliate spray cartouche.  The Basket is in exceptional condition and is fully marked on the base.  Samuel Herbert and Company were exceptionally fine pierced workers during this period and produced some of the finest baskets and epergnes of the day.  They had workshops in Foster Lane, London, when this piece was made.

The Armorial is that of Barnardiston impaling Jennens, for Mary, daughter of Richard Jennens of Princethorpe, Warwickshire.  She married Arthur Barnardiston of Brightwell Hall, Suffolk, on 21st July 1732 at St. James's. Piccadilly, as his second wife.  Arthur Barnardiston died in April 1737 and was buried at Brightwell.  She died in May 1788 and was interred with her husband.  Arthur Barnardiston (1685-1737) had come from a wealthy family of merchants and succeeded to the Brightwell estates in 1712, acquired by his uncle, Sir Samuel Barnardiston, 1st Baronet (1620-1707).

In 1773 Mary Barnardiston inherited Weston Hall estates from her brother Richard Jennens and made many additions to the house during her lifetime.  The estates were inherited, in 1788, by her only surviving daughter, Elizabeth, who had married Richard Heber of Marton Hall, County Yorkshire.  The famous Sitwell family were descendants of Mary Barnardiston and Sir Sacheverell Sitwell lived at Weston Hall from 1925 until his death in 1988.  The Sitwells ( Edith Sitwell, Osbert Sitwell and Sacheverell Sitwell) were three siblings who formed a very famous identifiable literary and artistic clique around themselves in London in the period roughly 1916-1930.  This was marked by some well publicised events, notibly Edith's facade with music by William Walton, with its public dubut in 1923.  All three Sitwells wrote and their circle was considered a rival to Bloomsbury.  Images are shown of the Sitwell family painted by John Singer Sargent in 1900, in addition to a portrait of Mary Barnardiston, whose Armorial is engraved in the bowl of the basket.  A photograph of Weston Hall is also attached.

Length: 14.25 inches, 35.63 cm.

Width: 12 inches, 30 cm.

Height to the rim: 4 inches, 10 cm.

Height, to the top of the basket: 12 inches, 30cm.

Weight: 58oz.