Early pierced baskets were heavy, magnificent pieces but these are rare. Eighteenth century examples were oval, rectangular or circular with a flat base and ornately-pierced sides, often featuring two small cabled silver handles which were later superseded by the swing type. Huguenot silversmiths were much acclaimed for their fine pierced and embossed baskets, and superb examples of their work, which clearly show why they were so admired, can be seen in various stately homes and museums.

However, some of their achievement must also be attributed to the English invention of the rolling-mill which had been improved by 1728, allowing the production of a fine gauge silver for more complicated piercing. London silversmiths also made many fine table baskets. From approximately the end of the 1730s a shaped and pierced ’skirt’ which incorporated cast rococo ornament concealed the base. Later baskets had four decorative feet. Among the numerous early eighteenth century patterns for table baskets were those which incorporated finely-pierced diamonds and circles, with the rim decorated by applique and probably edged with beading.

Paul de Lamerie, one of the most distinguished Huguenot craftsmen, produced some superlative baskets featuring incredibly intricate work. Sometimes the piercing was so fine that it resembled delicate wicker-work, but he also produced complex rococo forms in an elaborate pattern. Other baskets of his take the form of large scallop-shells, perhaps fluted or pierced, with delightful shell-shaped rims. Such baskets might stand on dolphin shapes or deliciously ornate feet. Inspired work of this category was sometimes copied by lesser silversmiths, though the baskets produced during the rococo period are generally of a very high standard, and there is much to admire in the vigorous decoration and workmanship. From about 1740 silversmiths increasingly raised the body of the basket from one sheet of silver. Everted rims were enlarged in size, ornately decorated with applique work, and shaped in such a way that the beautiful patterns of pierced work inside the basket could be easily observed. The patterns would be based on intricate designs of scrolls, circles, crescents, quatrefoils and so on, cleverly varied in size and grading. Sometimes pierced panels would be intermingled with solid ones.

Antique Collector MagazineThus silversmiths working in London established a fine reputation for baskets which were to be a major part of their work for many years. Later they achieved the elaborate piercing by using the fly-press, which was then able to punch small work swiftly and accurately. Mass-production was the next step. The number of panels used in a basket increased, sometimes incorporating as many as 20 or 30. After being soldered together to form the sides of the basket, the joins would be concealed beneath decorative beading or some other form of ornament; neo-classical table baskets are therefore an interesting example of the results achieved when the hand-work by craftsmen and the new factory techniques were combined. By around the last decade or so of the eighteenth century mass-production methods were becoming widely adopted and hand-work was correspondingly diminishing. The silver used was also far thinner, resulting in a general lowering of the formerly high standard.

Table baskets made of silver wire also became popular after about 1760 and stayed in fashion for the next 65 years or so. The framework of the basket consisted of wire decorated with hammered and chased motifs of current design, perhaps sprays of wheat, flowers or vine leaves. Silver table baskets were copied first in Sheffield plate and from the mid-nineteenth century in electroplate, and in this way the once highly-prized possession of the nobles found its way into more modest homes. The late nineteenth and early twentieth century price for a less intricate basket in sterling silver might be around £7 16s Od (£7.80), and £2 1 ls Od (£2.55) for its counterpart in electro-plate.

Sugar casters, pepper casters and muffineers

Decorative piercing was an attractive feature of the eighteenth century caster, reflecting in general the stylistic motifs used in baskets. Early casters were made either singly, or in sets of three: two small casters for black pepper and cayenne pepper or, perhaps, dry mustard, and a larger one for sugar. The piercing in these sets matched exactly so, no matter which flavouring was required, it issued forth at a uniform rate. Sometimes the flow of cayenne pepper or dry mustard was modified by various devices including an inner lining containing smaller perforations. In other sets this caster was ‘blind’ with a pull-off lid. A bayonet fastener secured the lid to the body in many early examples.

Early eighteenth century casters were straight-sided, cylindrical or octagonal, baluster or pyriform. The latter was more general, and stood upon a moulded foot, while its pierced domed cover or lid was surmounted by a cast finial. Earlier examples were usually undecorated, except sometimes for a horizontal band of moulding, and their covers were of a simple pull-off type. They later became more ornate and might incorporate cut-card work. Pyriform casters were also made in octagonal form and both types remained in fashion until about 1750, during this time becoming beautifully embossed, perhaps with decorative cartouches. From around 1740 an ogee form also became popular.

The reign of George III saw the return of the cylindrical shape, now pierced with neo-classical inspired motifs, as were those with pierced sides containing blue-glass liners. Sets of six small casters were also commonly made and the vase shape generally apparent in domestic silver was introduced. Casters in this form were made abundantly for the next 20 or 30 years, and running concurrently with this type were copies of earlier examples. Casters with handles are often referred to as dredgers. Their use remains uncertain, but in all probability it was the sprinkling of spice, for which there was a positive craving during the eighteenth century. They are usually simple cylindrical objects, standing about four inches high with a bun lid which was perforated with circular holes — like pepper casters when sold separately — and only a minimum of ornament.

Another spice caster was the muffineer, which was used for sprinkling cinnamon on hot buttered toast during the later years of the eighteenth century. Although roughly the same height as the dredger, these were generally vase-shaped and did not have a handle. They, too, had a low-domed lid which was pierced with circular holes. Some were embossed or engraved, while others, usually later examples, were undecorated. They were also made with their sides decoratively pierced and containing a blue-glass liner.

Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)
Cake and fruit baskets