A pair of mid-19^th century Chinese export unmarked silver filigree and enamel baskets, Canton circa 1860

Qing dynasty. Each of inverted ogee form upon four short bracket feet with adjoining shaped aprons, each with flat chased decoration of rosettes, peonies, and trailing foliage. The sides with plain sections flanked with twisted wire. The opposable swing handles formed as floral sections with cloisonné enamel of blue and green heightened with gilt flower heads, the central rosettes additionally with yellow and puce enamel. The domed pull off lid with a central, European initial S in gothic script surmounted by a coronet, matted and with a bright cut edge. The body and lid with woven filigree of swirling roundels, applied with cloisonné enamel wirework, each side with a fisherman and his net, a tree, a house, the sides with a rural scene of oxen, a farmer and buildings, the lids with buildings, a farmer ploughing a field, all interspersed with trailing foliage, each in a five colour-way enamel. Some losses throughout of applied sections. (2)

Length – 14 cm / 5.5 inches

Weight – 345 grams / 11.09 ozt