William Gale & Son Antique Coin Silver Large Fruit or Cake Basket, New York City, 1852

This magnificent swing-handled basket is made of heavy gauge silver wires emanating from an oval disc in its center and terminating at the rim. The wire-work is a masterful display of interlocking silver. The wonderful rim is a thick grapevine with applied leaves and clusters of grapes. The grapevine motif is also used for the swing handle. A plain, oval pedestal base is bordered with an applied, gadrooned edge.

This substantial basket is marked 'W G & S' along with their stamp, which is dated 1852. It measures 12.75 inches long by 10.5 inches wide and 10 inches tall with the handle raised. It weighs an impressive 42.50 troy ounces and is in excellent antique condition.