Robert Makepeace – Silver Basket With Blown Blue Glass – London, 1775

Robert Makepeace – Silver basket with blown blue glass – London, 1775

A very beautiful silver basket made in London in 1775 by silversmith Robert Makepeace, notable for the delicacy of its openwork setting and the inclusion of antique, period-correct blown blue glass.

The silver mount features extensive openwork decoration, punctuated by geometric motifs and foliage. The upper section is adorned with broad drapery held in place by knots, with ribbons cascading on either side of a central medallion bearing a monogram. The contrast between the delicacy of the cut silver and the deep blue of the blown glass particularly highlights the richness of the decoration.

The goblet is supported by a similarly openwork stem, resting on a circular base edged with a twisted molding.

The ensemble is completed by a movable silver handle, openwork and interlaced, adorned at the top with a floral design surrounding a monogrammed medallion.

The excellent condition of the mount deserves special mention. These significant 18th-century openwork settings frequently exhibit damage, breaks, or missing pieces in their most delicate areas. Here, the entire openwork design is preserved in perfect condition, which is a true asset for this piece.

The antique blown blue glass, also period, fits the shape of the setting perfectly and lends the piece that characteristic contrast between the brilliance of the silver and the depth of the blue.

A beautiful piece of English silverwork from the third quarter of the 18th century, particularly appealing for the quality and preservation of its openwork decoration as well as the presence of its original blown blue glass.

Specifications

• Silversmith: Robert Makepeace
• Origin: London, England
• Date: 1775
• Period: third quarter of the 18th century
• Material: silver
• Interior: antique period blown blue glass
• Decoration: openwork mount, geometric and scroll motifs, drapery, bows, and monogrammed medallions
• Handle: movable, openwork, and interlaced
• Total height including handle: 24 cm
• Interior diameter: 13 cm
• Weight of the silver mount alone: 268 g
• Condition: superb condition; openwork mount perfectly preserved