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Hello-

I just found the most wonderful James Dixon & Son silver basket. I date this piece to 1851. It is fully hallmarked four separate times on body, base, lid and finial and looks to be all original. Wondering what this piece was actually made for? It has a pierced body but the lid and base are solid. Very heavy also for its size, weighing over 20 ounces.

Any information would be appreciated.
Thanks
Pauline

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http://i45.tinypic.com/e194q8.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Hello Pauline,

It isn't clear from the image whether the body is pierced all the way through. On the basis that the inside of the body isn't solid the item may originally have had a glass liner and perhaps have been for sugar or bon-bons as relative to the fingers in the picture it's about the right size.
The weight of it is impressive as is the workmanship and it would have originally been a high cost item. Just a thought but 1851 was the year of the Great Exhibition in the Crystal Palace London. Might it perhaps have been made this heavy because it was on Dixon's stand?

Regards,
Mike

Hello

Thanks for your reply. Yes, the entire body is pierced though its a heavy gauge. I had thought that there may have possibly been a liner except that the lid sits down. The liner would have to have been the absolute perfect size in order for it to work. I will check out this exhibition you mentioned. What type of stand were you thinking this may have sat on?
Thanks
Pauline

Hello Pauline,

Dixon's stand, as in their display at the Great Exhibition, would have comprised a sample of their wares.
The piercing right through the body of the piece suggests to me there would have been a liner to contain the contents.
Best of luck with your research on whether this item formed part of Dixon's display stand.

Mike

Hello again Pauline,

You may like to check out the site http://www.britishsilverware.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. It's possible they still have an archive of the wares James Dixon & Sons sent to the 1851 Exhibition.

Best wishes,
Mike