An extremely fine George II bACCHUS bREAD/fRUIT Basket made in London in 1747 by Thomas Gilpin.
An extremely fine George II bACCHUS bREAD/fRUIT Basket made in London in 1747 by Thomas Gilpin.
375578
The basket is of a large size and is modelled in the very rare Bacchus design. This piece stands on four very detailed cast lion paw feet, with Rococo shell, vine leaf and grape mouldings where they are attached to the main body. The large deep bowl is pierced with geometric scroll work, as well as an upper band of quatrefoil motifs. The cast and applied rim, displays scrolls, vine leaves, flower heads and grapes. Each end is also decorated with a very detailed Bacchus mask, with vines and grapes in his hair. The hinged, central, swing handle has two exceptionally modelled dolphin supports and cascading foliate mouldings where it is attached to the main body. The top of the handle is chased with Rococo scrolls and an elongated vacant shell cartouche. The bowl of the basket is engraved with a contemporary Armorial surrounded by a cartouche of shells and floral and foliate sprays. The Arms are those of the Scrace family impaling the Colborne family of Bruton, County Somerset. As previous intimated, Bacchus Baskets are extremely rare, celebrating the Roman God of Wine. The basket is in quite excellent condition and is fully marked on the base and with the maker's mark and sterling mark on the handle. The base is also engraved with its original scratch weight.
The quality of design and production of this basket is quite exceptional. It represents a very fine example of Rococo silver. Thomas Gilpin was apprenticed to John Wells and his first mark was entered on 24th September 1730, with workshops at "Ye Acorn in ye Strand." He has gained a reputation as an extremely accomplished exponent of the Rococo style. He was patronised by the Earls Spencer at Althorp House, Northamptonshire, (family Seat of the late Diana Princess of Wales), as their collection is well represented with candlesticks and tureens from his workshops.
Length: 14.5 inches, 36.25 cm.
Width: 12.5 inches, 31.25 cm.
Height, to the rim: 4.5 inches, 11.25 cm
Height, to the top of the handle: 12.25 inches, 30.63 cm
Weight: 59oz.
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![](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://www.seekunique.co/customer_websites/marycooke/british-silver-1649-1759/an-extremely-fine-george-ii-bacchus-breadfruit-basket-made-in-london-in-1747-by-thomas-gilpin&media=https://seek-unique-co.s3.amazonaws.com/marycooke-8876-Qfhef-OE67/stock/6946c0202b4c1_image_url_rp70.jpg&description=The basket is of a large size and is modelled in the very rare Bacchus design. This piece stands on four very detailed cast lion paw feet, with Rococo shell, vine leaf and grape mouldings where they are attached to the main body. The large deep bowl is pierced with geometric scroll work, as well as an upper band of quatrefoil motifs. The cast and applied rim, displays scrolls, vine leaves, flower heads and grapes. Each end is also decorated with a very detailed Bacchus mask, with vines and grapes in his hair. The hinged, central, swing handle has two exceptionally modelled dolphin supports and cascading foliate mouldings where it is attached to the main body. The top of the handle is chased with Rococo scrolls and an elongated vacant shell cartouche. The bowl of the basket is engraved with a contemporary Armorial surrounded by a cartouche of shells and floral and foliate sprays. The Arms are those of the Scrace family impaling the Colborne family of Bruton, County Somerset. As previous intimated, Bacchus Baskets are extremely rare, celebrating the Roman God of Wine. The basket is in quite excellent condition and is fully marked on the base and with the maker's mark and sterling mark on the handle. The base is also engraved with its original scratch weight.The quality of design and production of this basket is quite exceptional. It represents a very fine example of Rococo silver. Thomas Gilpin was apprenticed to John Wells and his first mark was entered on 24th September 1730, with workshops at "Ye Acorn in ye Strand." He has gained a reputation as an extremely accomplished exponent of the Rococo style. He was patronised by the Earls Spencer at Althorp House, Northamptonshire, (family Seat of the late Diana Princess of Wales), as their collection is well represented with candlesticks and tureens from his workshops.Length: 14.5 inches, 36.25 cm.Width: 12.5 inches, 31.25 cm.Height, to the rim: 4.5 inches, 11.25 cmHeight, to the top of the handle: 12.25 inches, 30.63 cmWeight: 59oz. ){kind=link}