A William IV Irish sterling silver bread basket, Dublin 1833 by William Nolan (active 1811-1835)

A William IV Irish sterling silver bread basket, Dublin 1833 by William Nolan (active 1811-1835)

Of shaped circular form upon a shaped circular foot, with a cast, chased and applied rim of textured foliate scrolls and flower heads, the body with eight panels of embossed decoration of various scenes; one showing an eagle grappling with a coiled serpent in its claws, another with an eagle with grape and vine and citrus fruit from its claws, one showing two pears amongst the grapes and vines, two with gourds and flowers heads, another with two pineapples amongst the grapes and vines, to panels with a rocaille and scale effect C scroll cartouche engraved with a crest of a lion rampant with a roundel between the paws. All panels reserved against a matted ground. The swing handle with similar cast, chased and applied decoration of flower heads and matted acanthus scrolls, a divided section to the middle. Each side of handle with a caryatid support to the base of an Ottoman man’s head atop an S scroll. The base with embossed panels of flowers heads against a matted ground. Fully marked underneath, the handle marked with duty mark and town mark only.

Diameter – 35 cm / 13.75 inches

Weight – 1649 grams / 53.02 ozt

The crest is possibly that for Gunn

A near identical basket of 1828 by Nolan, but lighter at 43.5 ozt and with inferior and shallow embossing, sold Bonham’s Knightsbridge,19 Jan 2017, lot 48.