Essex Jewelry and Antiques

Meriden c1880 American Victorian Silverplate Song Birds Flowers Bride Basket

$353.00

Presented is a fabulous quality American Victorian silverplate bride's basket, dating to circa 1870-1885. This piece was made by Meriden Britannia. The basket is made in a very ornate style, with figural songbirds perched on either side in the arch formed by the handle, flanked by flowers and leaves in high relief, all richly detailed and well done. The panels of the basket are beautifully decorated along the same motifs, songbirds in flight and various flowers and their leaves, all against a stippled texture background so the details really pop. Even the four feet are richly decorated with classical scrolled acanthus leaves, flowers, and beadwork. This is a very elegant and well made silverplate piece, and would be a great addition to any wedding or tablescape.

This piece is in great overall condition. There is noticeable wear to the silver plating in one spot on the interior of the basket, to the side and beneath one of the birds, which is noticeable when the basket is empty but of course would be hidden by having fruit, flowers, etc in the basket. There are no splits, no dents, no breaks, no monograms, no monogram removals, and no repairs.

This piece is stamped with the maker's mark for Meriden Britannia on one of the feet, and a product number of 1868.

The basket measures about 10 3/4 x 7 inches and stands about 2 1/4 inches tall at the rim, or about 9 3/8 inches tall at the top of the handle. -jm