An important George II Cast Bread Basket made in London in 1747 by Edward Aldridge I

An important George II Cast Bread Basket made in London in 1747 by Edward Aldridge I.

The Basket is cast and is of a large size standing on four very unusual leaf capped legs, with naturalistic double shell feet and beautifully detailed female mask moudings, with flowers and wheat ears in her hair, all with a Rococo shell surround, where they are attached to the underside of the main body.  

The large deep bowl is pierced with pluming scrolls and quatrefoil designs and the raised rim is decorated with bold scrolls and flowers in full bloom.  The hinged, arched, swing handle is centred by a vacant asymmetric shield and issues from very detailed Bacchus mouldings decorated with leaf capping and trailing vines, both on the front and unusually the reverse of the handle.

The handle is attached to the main body with raying shell mouldings.  The centre of the bowl is very finely engraved with a contemporary Armorial surrounded by a drapery mantling cartouche.  The basket is in quite exceptional, crisp, condition and is fully marked on the base and with the maker's mark and sterling mark, twice, on the underside of the handle.  

Edward Aldridge I was one of the finest pierced workers of the period and made outstanding baskets.  The prolific William Plummer was apprenticed to him and was also an exceptional pierced worker.  Aldridge had workshops in Foster Lane when this beautiful piece was made.

The Arms are those of the Young family of Poulton cum Seacomb, County Chester, confirmed in 1625.  They impale those of Waterhouse, County Halifax.  The Waterhouses were an influencial and very wealthy family from the 16th century in the Halifax area.  They owned several estates and made a large amount of money from both mercantile and manufacturing interests.

Length: 14.5 inches, 36.25 cm.

Width: 12 inches, 30 cm.

Height to the rim: 3.5 inches, 8.75 cm.

Height to the top of the handle: 11.5 inches, 28.75cm.

Weight: 66oz.

Price

This object is eligible for a Certificate of BADA Provenance

Stock number