A fabulous quality antique Regency "Old Sheffield Plate" silver bread/fruit/cake basket. Circular shaped bowl with beautiful highly decorated rococo style foliate grape & vine decoration around the flared rim. Raised on a nicely footed pedestal base. On the top is a matching highly decorated Rococo style swing carrying handle. Stamped on the bottom of the bowl with the makers mark. A truly stunning example of "Old Sheffield Plate" craftsmanship. The photographs don't do this piece justice. Lovely collectors item that would grace any fine dinning table.
 
Old Sheffield Plate or Fused Plate.
Fused plating is a process in which a thin sheet of silver is fused by heat to a much thicker copper ingot, the two metals then reacting as one when hammered or rolled. Produced from the 1740’s to the middle of the 19th century, it is now more commonly known as Old Sheffield Plate. This process predates silver plating or EPNS (electroplated nickel silver) as it is known which was first used on a commercial scale by Elkington & Co in Birmingham which involves assembling the object first before depositing a layer of silver over the entire piece by electroplating. 
 
Maker
Waterhouse, Hatfield & Co, Portobello Place, Sheffield, England.
 
Weight
1511 grams
 
Dimensions
Diameter 325mm
Height of bowl 95mm
Height of handle 280mm 
 
Condition.
Excellent condition with light surface marks that are consistent with genuine age, use & polishing. There are no dings or dents & there is no loss of the silver fused plate.