Antique Art Nouveau American Sterling Silver Cupid Grape Swing Handle Basket

Description

Presented is a wonderful quality, heavy weight swing handle sterling silver basket retailed by J. E. Caldwell & Company. The basket is raised up on four ball feet and has an elegant openwork design. There are detailed medallions around the sides of the basket depicting a cupid shooting an arrow framed in ornate clusters of grapes, vines, and leaves. All of these intricate designs have been individually cast and separately applied. The casting is exceptionally well done and quite heavy. The bottom of the basket has geometric pierced work with the cupid design repeated at the center. The swing handle is adorned with an applied cluster of grapes and leaves. The basket was most likely made in the late 1800s or early 1900s.
The basket is marked on the inside of the handle with J. E. Caldwell & Co. for the retailer, Sterling and the product number 2273. The entire piece is guaranteed to be sterling silver. This is the third or fourth time I have had this exact same design. This basket was made in two different sizes, the size you see here and a smaller size. Two of the previous baskets I have owned were stamped by the maker, Howard & Co.. This piece was undoubtedly made by Howard & Co. in their name was probably left off at the retailer's request.
The condition is excellent. The swing handle is working flawlessly. There are no dents, no splits, no monograms, no monogram removals, no breaks, and no repairs.
The basket measures 7 5/8 inches by 9 1/2 inches and has a maximum height of 6 1/4 inches.
The weight is 459.4 grams or 16.1 ounces.
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