A rare "Onslow" pattern Cream Basket made in London in 1783 by Robert Hennell.

A rare "Onslow" pattern Cream Basket made in London in 1783 by Robert Hennell.

£1,650
Reference

374648

The Basket stands on an oval pedestal foot decorated with beading and bright cut bands.  The "Boat" shaped main body rises to a beaded rim and is pierced with two bands of vitruvian scrolls, enclosing foliate motifs in ovals.  The sides are also engraved with pretty floral garlands and the arched handle is decorated with applied beading.  Each end of the main body displays an "Onslow" scroll end, decorated with herring bone engraving and this is the first time we have seen this design on a cream basket from any silversmiths workshops.  The onslow scroll was first designed by Arthur Onslow (1691-1768), The Great Speaker of Parliament.  It was first used on flatware and later on hollowware.  We have seen this design on Hennell Salt Cellars, but never on a basket.  The basket is very well marked on the underside and is engraved with a contemporary Crest.  This piece also has a blue glass liner and is in excellent condition.

Length: 5.9 inches, 14.75 cm.

Width: 3.6 inches, 9 cm.

Height, to the top of the handle: 5.5 inches, 13.75 cm.

Weight: 8oz.

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