Openwork Basket In 800 Thousandths Silver, Hanau, Late 19th Century

Openwork basket in 800 thousandths silver, Hanau, late 19th century Elegant fruit basket in solid 800 thousandths silver, German-made, attributable to a Hanau workshop active at the end of the 19th century. The whole rests on a shower foot decorated with gadroons and arabesques, supporting a bowl with scalloped contours, entirely worked in repoussé, chased and openwork. The abundant decoration combines foliage, bunches of grapes, blooming flowers and birds facing each other in a radiant composition. This ornamental vocabulary inspired by Rocaille, typical of Hanoverian historicist goldsmithing, demonstrates great technical mastery. The mobile handle, also finely openwork, uses the same motifs in an elegant decorative balance. This piece, intended for the presentation of fruits or sweets, embodies the decorative art of the end of the 19th century in all its richness. Characteristics Origin: Hanau, Germany Period: End of the 19th century Material: 800 thousandths solid silver Weight: 532 g Dimensions: 29 cm long – 20 cm wide – 29 cm high (including handle) Decoration: embossed, chiseled and openwork, with motifs of flowers, foliage, birds and bunches of grapes Condition: very good general condition, old patina preserved