MARK OF JOHN WHITE, LONDON, 1731

The substantial gauge of this basket demonstrates the calibre of White's work. Arthur Grimwade describes White as 'a mysterious figure, as his work, somewhat rare, is of high quality and Huguenot character,' (A. Grimwade, London Goldsmiths, Their Marks and Lives, 1697-1837, London, 1982, p. 699). A basket of similar form made in 1735 by another Huguenot silversmith, John Hugh le Sage, with sides designed to resemble woven wicker, is illustrated, B. Carver Wees, English, Irish and Scottish Silver at the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, New York, 1997, p. 182. Two similar baskets of 1730 by Peter Archambo are illustrated in J. Lomax and J. Rothwell, Country House Silver at Dunham Massey, London, 2006, cat. no. 20). The authors note that servants would use this type of basket to offer bread to seated dinner guests and when not in use, they would have formed part of the display on the side table of the room (op. cit., p. 69).