Basket - .925 silver - sterling 1798 George III

An extraordinarily elegant and finely finished George III sterling silver sugar basket in the Louis XVI / neoclassical style.

Executed in the classic and beloved navette-form (ship-shape) on an oval, profiled foot and equipped with a smoothly movable swing handle.
The rim of the basket is richly and sharply decorated all around with refined bright-cut engraving of floral garlands, festoons and stippled engravings.

On the inside there is a beautiful, original engraved monogram in graceful calligraphic letters. Both the rim and the handle feature fine profiling (reeding).
On the underside of the foot there is an authentic scratched inventory/weight mark (scratch weight) visible, characteristic of high-quality 18th-century English silver.

Assaying and maker marks:
The basket is on the inside fully marked with the English assay marks for London:

Lion Passant: Hallmark for 1st-quality (.925) sterling silver (also struck on the handle) Leopard's Head Crowned: City mark of London
Year letter 'C': 1798
Duty Mark: Tax mark featuring the portrait of King George III
Maker's mark 'AB': Alexander Brander (registered in 1798)

Specifications:
Material: Sterling silver (.925)
Origin: London, United Kingdom
Dating: 1798 (George III)
Dimensions: 18.5 cm x 13 cm
Height with handle raised: 14 cm
Weight: 167 grams
Condition:
In excellent, authentic condition given the age of over 225 years. The engraving is still bright and not overpolished. Hinges of the handle and the transition to the foot are sturdy and without visible repairs. Minimal, normal signs of aging in line with age and use. See the detail photos for your own impression of the condition.