SOLD An exquisite and rare Polish antique, from the early 19th century and from Poland, gold wash solid silver footed oval candy basket in French empire style. The basket is intricately hand made of several separate elements and decorated with different technique: the main body is pierced and repousse in floral design and highlighted with hand chased surface. The handles are formed as twin elaborated hand chased leafs with the loop at the top being riveted to the basket, which is resting on low foot adorned with distinctive empire palmette motifs, which are soldered to the basket. The interior is divided on the center into two sections by an elaborate shaped plate that is pierced and engraved with leafs and adorned on the top with ball shaped flowers that are connected by screw to the separately made base, which is beautifully hand hammered in convex form and engraved with monogram "EA".

The rim of the basket is hallmarked with assay office standard mark “12” (750/1000 grade) and silversmith Cyrillic initials “л и” in Latin “LI”. The office standard mark “12” of this particular shape is distinct for polish silver made in the early 19th century in Poland on the territory occupied by Russia. This standard mark was permitted to be used until 1851 and from this year has been replaced by Russian 84 office standard zolotnik mark.

The Law of 10 / 24.04.1851 r. Published in the Official Rights of the Polish Kingdom 24.7. (6.8.), 1851. Volume 44.

MEASUREMENTS:

Overall length from handle to handle: 26.5 cm (10.43 inches).

Width: 16 cm (6.3 inches).

Height including the bowl of the central flower: 9 cm (3.54 inches).

WEIGHT: 360 grams (12.7 ounces).

CONDITION: In excellent original condition with no repairs or alterations. Gold wash is worn of previous use and should be expected consistent with age.