George III Sterling Silver Cake Basket, hallmarked London, 1766-1767, by Elizabeth Aldridge, of oval form, the sides with beaded spiral gadroons separating panels reticulated in various patterns, with bead-and-bobbin rim sectioned by rococo shells, with ovolo pierced swing handle en suite, the whole raised on an openwork rocaille base with four integral feet, the bowl engraved with the later baronial arms of Methuen quartering Cobb impaling Mildmay quartering St. John, h. 3-3/8" (11-1/4" with handle), l. 14-3/4", w. 13-1/2", 32.27 t. oz. The arms here are those of Paul Methuen (1779-1849), 1st Baron Methuen, son of Paul Cobb Methuen and Matilda Gooch, and his wife Jane Dorothea St. John-Mildmay (1788-1846), daughter of Sir Henry Paulet St. John and Jane Mildmay. Given that Methuen was not elevated to the barony until 1838, these arms are clearly a mid-19th-century addition; indeed traces of an earlier armorial are visible on the underside.

Good. No condition issues noted beyond the expected light wear, scuffs and dings consistent with age; no dents, breaks or repairs noted. The engraved arms are very clean and crisp, but are a later addition as stated: the bowl of the basket is somewhat thinned and a "ghost" impression of an earlier removed armorial remains on the underside. Hallmarked (on the upper side of the narrow ends, next to the rim) with: 1) the sterling lion passant; 2) the London crowned leopard's head; 3) the date letter "L" for 1766-1767; and 4) the "E.A" in a lozenge maker's mark of Elizabeth Aldrige. Marks excellent.