Victorian Renaissance Revival Meriden Silver Plate Cake Basket circa 1860

A heavy metal dish with a handle and short pedestal that was silver plated. The body is oval with a laurel leaf pattern on the mouth rim. The central well has opposing medallions of a Greek warrior and an Italian Renaissance noble. They are surrounded by etched arabesques. The pedestal foot has a band with a ridged rod bundle and laurel leaf. The handle, which stands up on its own, has a descending bead design with an apical monogrammed plate etched with the letters M and A. The base rests flat on a surface.

 

There is a mark under the pedestal base. It reads; MERIDEN (RIBA)? CO. in a circle around the number 1950.

 

11 5/8” (25.5 cm) long x 9 7/8” (28.1 cm) wide x 3 1/8” (7.9 cm) tall. 9” (22.9 cm) tall with handle extended. Weighs 1 lb 11.2 oz (770 g)

 

There are no breaks, cracks, or dents. There are scratches to the central well and silver losses throughout. There is still some silver though on the basket and it has shined up nicely in most areas.  

  

A shiny antique example of the Victorians' sense for the exotic and nostalgic that will be a decorative asset in your décor. It could also be used for what it was intended, a cake that is.