George III Silver Sweetmeat Basket, London 1767.

Object Description

A very pretty antique silver swing handle basket of small size. Lovely quality and good weight. Possibly a Georgian epergne basket. Attractive cutwork design decorated with flowerheads and other motifs. Cast decorative base and handle. To the centre is a hand engraved crest of a lion rampant within an ornamental cartouche.

Weight 198 grams, 6.3 troy oz.
Height 5.1/13.3cm. Length 16.8cm. Width 13.6cm.
London 1767.
Maker John Langford II and John Sebille.
Sterling silver.

Marks. Stamped with a full set of English silver hallmarks within the body decoration to one end. The cast silver handle is unmarked

Maker: John Langford II and John Sebille

John Langford II and John Sebille, London silversmiths. According to Grimwade their mark, in partnership, was attributed with virtual certainty from Chaffers and must have been entered in the missing register between 1758 and 1763. The mark occurs principally on pierced baskets.

John Langford, no record of apprenticeship or freedom.

John Sebille, no record of apprenticeship or freedom. 2nd mark as plateworker in partnership with James Jones II in 1798. Listed by Evans as Huguenot.

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Object Literature

Sweetmeat Baskets are usually miniature versions of a cake basket of the same period. This useful item is still made today but with a change of use as a bonbon or sugar basket (sugar baskets are either unpierced or contain a glass liner).

Object Condition

The little basket is in very good condition with a tiny bit of wear consistent with age.

Object Details