George III Silver Sweet Basket, London 1772 Edward Aldridge

George III Silver basket London 1772 by Edward Aldridge
George III Silver basket London 1772 by Edward Aldridge DSCN9155 v2 DSCN9156 DSCN9157 v2 DSCN9158 v2 DSCN9159 DSCN9160 v2

£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.