William Gale for Tiffany and Co Pair of Antique Sterling Sweetmeat Baskets, NYC, 1860-65

It is uncommon to find a pair of these small baskets for sweets or and these examples are gorgeous. They are very elegant and covered in a beautiful gilt. Exceptional quality, stunning design and execution for which Tiffany is renowned are all exhibited here.

They were made by William Gale who was one of the great silversmiths working in New York City who supplied Tiffany with silver for sale. The arched swing-handles are textured on the top and ornamented with foliate scenes. Applied bands of interlaced designs incorporating florets create the borders of the bowls and are also used as the feet of the stepped pedestal bases. Finely chased designs on the bodies consist of lobing, anthemia and a horizontal line of scrolling classical designs against a textured background. The sides of the baskets are slightly later engraved with the initials 'J' and dated '1875' in the fluting.

These rare baskets are marked underneath 'TIFFANY & C0/ G 785 G/ ENG' STERLING/ 925-1000/ 2/ 550 BROADWAY NY'. They measure 5.5 inches in diameter by 6.5 inches high to the tops of the handles, weigh a combined 17.80 troy ounces and are in excellent antique condition.