An exceptional George II Rococo Bread Basket made in London in 1744 by John Jacob.

This is one of the finest Bread Baskets of the George II period which we have offered.  The main body stands on an oval collet foot with incuse sides pierced with scrolls and geometric designs.  The main body has flared sides which are pierced with panels of quatrefoils amongst scrolls and rise to a cast raying shell and scroll rim.  Most unusually, however, is that the cast shell and scroll decoration cascades down the sides, two incorporating a cartouche engraved with a contemporary Crest.  The cast swing handle is decorated with very detailed mythological sea creatures and displays a cast and applied scroll and shell cartouche, at the top, which is engraved with a contemporary Armorial.  The base is engraved with a contemporary Armorial surrounded by an outstanding architectural cartouche decorated with scrolls, shells, trellis work and blue bell swags.  The top and bottom of the cartouche display engraved mask head motifs and each side is engraved with a male and female portrait bust, in period costume, and in an oval frame on a prick dot ground.  The engraving has been executed to the highest standard and incorporates such unusual design elements.  This piece is in outstanding condition and is of exceptional quality in terms of both design and production.  The weight is excellent.  The Basket is fully marked on the base and with the maker’s mark and sterling mark on the underside of the handle.  The base is also engraved with its original scratch weight 64oz 12 dwt.

John, also known as Jean, Jacobs is a scarce, but exceptional silversmith.  He entered his first mark as a large worker on 3^rd May, 1734 and had workshops in Heming’s Row, near St. Martin’s Lane and signed himself as Jean Jacob, denoting his Huguenot descent.  By 1739, he had moved to Spur Street, Leicester Fields, where these dishes would have been made.  By 1738, he was working in Panton Street, where some of the finest silversmiths were located.  In 1738 he married, Anne daughter of Augustine Courtauld, of the very fine and famous silversmithing dynasty.  A.G. Grimwade describes him as a “Fine rank” silversmith, whose mark is found on Rococo baskets, candlesticks and hollow ware for the table.

These arms are Hankey impaling Barnard.  Thomas Hankey (1704-1770) married Sarah Barnard (1710-1762).  Thomas Hankey was educated at Merchant Taylors School (1713-1716).  By 1728 he was made free of the Haberdashers Company.  By 1732 he was made a partner in Sir Henry Hankey and Company bank at the Ring and Ball. In 1733 he married Sarah Barnard (daughter of Sir John Barnard- Lord Mayor of London 1737-1738).

Height to the rim: 4 inches, 10 cm.

Length: 14.1 inches, 35.25 cm.

Width: 11.75 inches.29.38 cm

Height: to the top of the handle: 11.5 inches, 28.75 cm.

Weight: 64oz.