Antique Silver-Plated Basket with Emerald Green Glass Liner Pierced Design B&co

This is a lovely decorative piece, particularly with its vibrant emerald-green glass liner and unusually shaped silver-plated handle. I would describe it as an antique silver-plated fruit or sweet basket, probably dating to the late Victorian or Edwardian period.

The base is stamped B & Co S, EPNS and 5862. The lettering may relate to a Sheffield manufacturer, although the precise maker needs a little caution.

RECOMMENDED SELLING PRICE

### £55.00

Suggested range £45–£65,

18 cm round

15 cm tall including handle

### Product description

# Antique Silver-Plated Basket with Emerald Green Glass Liner – Pierced Design B&co S

A charming antique silver-plated basket featuring a beautiful totally original unmarked emerald-green glass liner, decorative pierced metalwork and an elegant arched carrying handle.

The circular silver-plated frame features a repeating pattern of stylised floral and geometric cut-outs, creating a particularly attractive effect as the rich green glass shines through the openwork design.

The tall, gracefully curved handle is finished with an unusual double-loop detail at its highest point, adding to the basket's distinctive appearance.

The removable green glass liner fits neatly within the metal basket, making this a wonderfully versatile decorative piece.

Originally intended for the dining table, possibly for presenting fruit, sweets or other delicacies, it would look equally delightful today filled with wrapped chocolates, decorative trinkets or simply displayed as an attractive piece of antique tableware.

### Maker & History

The underside bears the marks **B & Co S**, **EPNS** and the number **5862**.

EPNS stands for Electro Plated Nickel Silver, a process in which a thin layer of silver is applied to a nickel-silver base metal.

The B & Co S mark may relate to Bird & Co of Sheffield, a manufacturer of silver-plated goods operating during the early twentieth century, although this attribution has not been conclusively established.

The design reflects the decorative silver-plated tableware popular during the late Victorian and Edwardian periods, when colourful glass liners were frequently combined with elaborate metalwork to create attractive serving pieces.

The stamped number 5862 is believed to be a manufacturer's pattern or production reference rather than a date.

### Condition

Good antique condition, displaying surface scratches, light tarnishing and general signs of age and previous use to the silver plating.

The removable green glass liner has visible surface marks and minor imperfections consistent with age. No obvious major cracks or chips are apparent in the photographs.

Please study the photographs carefully, as they form part of the description.

### Why We Love It

The glorious green glass is the real star here! We particularly love the way the rich colour contrasts with the silver-plated openwork, while the unusual sweeping handle gives the basket a wonderfully elegant silhouette.

A delightful combination of antique craftsmanship, colour and character, perfect for adding a little vintage charm to a dining table, dresser or display cabinet.

**Price: £55.00**

*Our descriptions are prepared to the best of our knowledge and research. As with all antique and vintage pieces, some age-related wear should be expected.*

### A little more about the maker

Bird & Co is a plausible attribution. Edward Bird established Bird & Co in Sheffield following the dissolution of his partnership with John Harold Blake in 1904. The firm subsequently traded as Bird & Co (Sheffield) Ltd and was associated with the Duchess silver-plated tableware mark.

However, mark references also associate a similar B & Co S stamp with Edwin James Buxton & Co, a much earlier Sheffield business. I wouldn't advertise this as definitely Bird & Co until the exact mark has been matched.

For pricing, a comparable early twentieth-century glass-lined silver-plated basket was listed as sold at £35, while another green-glass example has been offered at auction alongside two other pieces with a £30–£50 estimate for the group. Your basket's striking green colour and decorative handle justify trying £55 retail.

One detail that would help: What is the diameter of the basket and its total height with the handle upright? These measurements will help establish whether £55 is the right asking price or whether we can reasonably go higher.