Late Victorian Sterling Silver Cake Basket — Wilson & Gill, London, 1896 A late Victorian English sterling silver cake basket by Wilson & Gill, assayed in London in 1896. The oval basket is designed in the Rococo Revival style and decorated with embossed shell, scroll and foliate motifs. It has an articulated swing handle with decorative floral mounts. Traditionally intended for serving cakes and pastries, this type of basket may also be used for bread, fruit or confectionery. The basket bears a complete set of English silver hallmarks: the S.W/R.G sponsor’s mark for Samuel Wilson and Robert Gill, the lion passant confirming sterling silver standard, the leopard’s head for the London Assay Office, and the date letter “a” for 1896. The underside is additionally stamped “Wilson & Gill, 134 Regent St, London”. The basket appears to have been used very rarely and is preserved in excellent antique condition, close to its original state. It retains an attractive natural silver patina and has not been excessively polished. There are no visible cracks, significant scratches, dents, distortions, repairs or other defects. The swing handle moves correctly. Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an integral part of the condition description.