Burnell and Rowe

Description

Here we have a fine quality Victorian Sterling Silver Bread Basket. The basket has an oval base and lobed sides. The base is plain but the sides are extensively decorated with embossed flowers and foliage. There are no initials or personalisation of any kind.

The bread basket was made in London by Horace Woodward & Co and dates to 1889. The firm was established around 1850 by George Cartwright and Joseph Hirons, with Horace Woodward joining as a partner in 1853. They were silversmiths and electroplaters, active in both Birmingham and London and were involved in the Great Exhibition (1851) and many other international fairs. In 1865 Woodward became the sole proprietor and the name of the firm was changed to Horace Woodward & Co. Woodward left the company in 1883 but it continued under his name until it was bought by Adie Brothers in 1919.

Condition is good with just a few truly tiny dings in the base plus the superficial surface wear that has to be expected after over 135 years of good service. Please make sure to view all the photographs.

The bread basket measures 20.5cm / 8ins by 15.1cm / 5.9ins and stands 4.3cm / 1.7ins high. It weighs in at a substantial 147.8g / 5.2oz of solid Sterling Silver.

The hallmarks, on the underside of the base, are well struck and clear to read. They show the lion passant for Sterling Silver, the leopard's head assay mark for London, the date letter O for 1889. the Queen Victoria duty mark and the E.F over H.T makers' mark for Edgar Finley & Hugh Taylor of Harce Woodward & Co.

Shipping in the UK is £12.50 by Royal Mail Special Delivery, which includes cover for the value of the bread basket.
Overseas customers, please ask us about shipping costs to your country before making a purchase.