A silver-plated pedestal basket of circular form, featuring a wide, flared rim richly decorated with cast and chased foliate and floral motifs including roses and acanthus leaves. The basket is mounted on a spreading circular pedestal foot and fitted with an elegant, twisted double-strand swing handle.

Historical & Style Details

• Period: Late 19th to early 20th century
• Origin: Unknown
• Material / Technique: Silver-plated metal, cast and chased
• Markings: Hand-engraved "5746-X" over "H" to the underside of the rim
• Decorative Details: Twisted swing handle, high-relief floral and foliate border, stepped pedestal foot
• Condition: Light surface wear and minor polishing scratches consistent with age; plating remains bright and largely intact

History

Pedestal baskets with swing handles, often referred to as cake or fruit baskets, were highly popular dining table centerpieces during the Victorian and Edwardian eras. These vessels were designed to showcase baked goods or fresh fruit, serving as both functional tableware and displays of domestic prosperity. The elaborate floral repoussé borders and twisted handles are characteristic of the late 19th-century aesthetic movement's embrace of naturalistic ornamentation.