What were pierced ceramic baskets used for?

These vessels functioned primarily as table centerpieces and serving containers for fruit, sweetmeats, or roasted chestnuts during formal dessert courses. Their openwork design also permitted ventilation for delicate foods. Over time, they transitioned from active dining table service into decorative display items showcased on sideboards, mantelpieces, and dedicated cabinets.

How do I clean a ceramic basket?

Dust the openwork lattice gently using a soft, dry artist brush to prevent accumulation of debris within the pierced cavities. Avoid submerging antique pieces with overglaze enamel or gold leaf in water, as harsh detergents can degrade delicate historic pigments.

How can I tell eighteenth from nineteenth-century pieces?

Eighteenth-century examples often utilise soft-paste porcelain or early creamware bodies with hand-painted polychrome enamel or underglaze blue decoration. The potting tends to show subtle organic variations characteristic of earlier studio practices. Nineteenth-century items frequently employ transfer-printing techniques, ironstone compositions, or bolder revival styles such as Rococo and French Empire.

Did these baskets always come with stands?

Many chestnut baskets and dessert service centrepieces were originally paired with a matching tray or platter to catch stray crumbs and complete the visual silhouette. Surviving matched pairs of basket and stand remain particularly sought after by collectors. Disparate pairing occurred historically through usage and breakage, meaning some surviving vessels now rest on associated rather than original stands.