A GEORGE II SILVER CAKE BASKET

MAKER'S MARK OF ANN CRAIG AND JOHN NEVILLE, LONDON, 1740

Details

A GEORGE II SILVER CAKE BASKET
Maker's mark of Ann Craig and John Neville, London, 1740
Oval, the sides pierced with basket weave, the tied-reeded rim with shells at intervals, the swing handle with shell joins, the field engraved with a Duke's armorials, marked under base, with scratchweight 57=16
14in. (35.5cm.) long; 55oz. (1718gr.)

Lot Essay

The arms are those of Churchill quartering three others with Jennings in pretence, upon the double-headed eagle of the Holy Roman Empire, as borne by John (Churchill), 1st Duke of Marlborough (1650-1722). The augmentation to his arms of the eagle and princely crown were granted to him in 1704 after his victory at Blenheim by Emperor Leopold, who made him a Prince of the Empire, and subsequently Prince of Mindelheim in Swabia. The appearance of the 1st Duke's arms on a piece of silver made in 1740 might be explained by Emperor Joseph's diploma of 1707 which stated that all children, heirs, and lawful descendants of the 1st Duke were also to be Princes of the Holy Roman Empire.