Object Description
This large George III silver swing handled sugar basket was made in London in 1773 by John Lautier and measures 5.5 inches to the top border by 8.5 inches with handle raised by 4 3/8 inches in dia across the top and 2.25 inches across the pedestal base, the base stands on 4 ball feet leading up to a fluted stem in turn going into a petal shaped decoration around the bowl which goes into piercing with swag decoration between the two large oval cartouches one depicting a shepherdess in period clothes and a boy leaning against a tree playing a horn with his hat on the grass – there are also 4 sheep between them and to the other cartouche there is a winged cherub holding a vacant shield shaped cartouche under a tree with a house to the right of the tree. The swing handle has a rope like design with oval flowers , it is marked with the lion passant and makers mark and the basket itself is marked to the side in the piercing, the Bristol blue basket is original and it is in very good condition weighing7.90 ounces or 245 grams.