What were these baskets used for?

These pieces held fruit, sugar lumps, bonbons, and preserves on the dining table during formal meals and afternoon tea. Hosts used them for service and display, passing them among guests or placing them centrally as decorative table ornaments.

How do I clean a silver basket?

Clean sterling silver and silver plate gently with a specialised soft cloth and mild silver polish to avoid removing the plating. Remove glass liners before cleaning and wash them separately in warm soapy water. Avoid abrasive materials that might scratch the metal or damage any delicate silver gilt surfaces.

Are the glass liners usually original?

Many baskets retain their original cranberry, cobalt, or vaseline glass liners, shaped specifically to fit the contours of the metal frame. Replacements occur due to breakage over the decades of use. Matching liners should sit flush within the basket without excessive wobble against the pierced walls.

How do I tell Victorian from Edwardian pieces?

Victorian pieces often lean towards rococo revival, neoclassical styles, and heavy floral casting dating from the nineteenth century. Hallmarks and date letters stamped on the silver provide exact verification of the year of assay. Edwardian items, produced around the turn of the twentieth century, frequently incorporate flowing art nouveau lines and green vaseline glass elements.

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Victorian Silver Table Basket

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These victorian silver table basket examples bring pierced metalwork and coloured glass liners to the table, offering versatile serveware for fruit, sugar and bonbons.