Essex Jewelry and Antiques

1843 Nathaniel Mills Victorian Sterling Silver Castle Top Abbotsford Basket

$617.00

Presented is a charming little English Victorian sterling silver swing handle basket. This piece is dated 1843 and was made by Nathaniel Mills. The center of the basket is a richly detailed and exquisitely rendered scene of a landmark building surrounded by trees, likely Abbotsford in the Scottish Borders, home of Sir Walter Scott. Above and below the scene are roses and foliate scrollwork, a motif continued around the rim of the basket. The handle is likewise decorated here and there along its surface, with a blank cartouche at the topmost point.

This piece is hallmarked with the lion passant for sterling silver, the anchor for the city of Birmingham, the date letter U for 1843, the duty stamp of Queen Victoria's head, and the maker's mark for Nathaniel Mills.

This basket is in great overall condition. The scene in the center is exceptionally crisp and detailed. There is an old solder repair to the rim, just to the left of the 12 o'clock position. There are also multiple solder repairs to the handle, as we point out in the photos. No monograms or removals.

The basket measures about 5 inches in diameter and stands about 1 inch tall at the rim, or about 3 3/4 inches to the top of the handle when raised.

This piece weighs 68 grams or 2.4 regular ounces. -jm