An extremely fine & rare George III Bread Basket made in Dublin in 1798 by Gustavus Byrne

An extremely fine & rare George III Bread Basket made in Dublin in 1798 by Gustavus Byrne.

The Basket stands on a flared oval foot which reeded base, which is pierced with plain vertical pails. The main body has a reeded rim below a beautifully shaped band engraved with foliate motifs.

The main body is also engraved with herring bone bands and pierced with a band of semi circles engraved with flower heads. The centre of the bowl is engraved with a shield shaped Armorial, with Crest above, surrounded by an unusual oval foliate cartouche.

The reeded swing handle is engraved with two prick dot bands. The basket is in excellent condition and is fully marked on the base and with the Hibernia and crowned harp on the handle.

The Arms and Crest are those of Elton impaling Marwood, for Edward Elton of Winford Manor, near Bristol. He married Frances a considerable heiress and was High Sheriff of Somerset.

They had an elder son, James Marwood-Elton, born 1776. He married Anne Storey and their seat was Widworthy, Co. Devon. Their only son, Sir Edward Marwood-Elton, was created a baronet and died in 1884 when the title became extinct. 

Bread Baskets from Ireland are very rare, as is the work of the innovative, quality silversmith, Gustavus Byrne. A very rare pair of Tub Salts by this rare maker are shown in our archive. 

Height, to the top of the handle: 10.5 inches, 26.25cm. 
Length: 14 inches, 35cm. 
Width: 10.25 inches, 25.63cm. 

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This object is eligible for a Certificate of BADA Provenance

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