George III Silver Sweet Basket, London 1772 Edward Aldridge
£750.00
Basket - Oval, Pierced with Swing Handle - London 1772 by Edward Aldridge - 15.5cm long, 13cm wide, 12cm high (handle up); 133 grams - Ref: LW/4224
This is a handsome silver basket made by one of the best specialist makers of small hollowware from the Georgian period, Edward Aldridge.
This oval-shaped basket stands on a ring foot and has a swing handle with graduating, pierced ovals. The body is decorated with swags on a pierced trellis background and has a bead border. The inner base is engraved with an armorial depicting a lion rampant, surmounted by a raised arm with sword crest and above the motto "VIRTUTI NIHIL OBSTAT ET ARMIS" (translates to: "Nothing Resists Valour & Arms). These are the arms and motto of the British aristocratic Stratford family and potentially for John Stratford, 1st Earl of Aldborough (1697-1777).
Ideal for presenting sweets, this basket remains in excellent condition throughout. The full set of London hallmarks are spread around the top rim.