A George III Sterling Silver Basket, Paul Storr, London, 1818

A George III sterling silver basket, Paul Storr, London, 1818.
Rectangular form with a shell and gadroon border, the reeded swing-handle with a wreath cartouche.
Motto: Honi soit qui mal y pense. Shame on him who thinks evil of it. The motto of the English Order of the Garter, traditionally said to have been established by King Edward III of England in honor of his lover, the Countess of Salisbury, to whom a garter had fallen during a ball; the king hastened to pick it up and reprimanded the courtiers who were smiling at the incident with these words.

Sterling Silver with 5 Hallmarks:
The Maker’s Mark: Paul Storr
The Lion Passant: The Mark that indicates Sterling Silver
Leopard’s Head Crowned: City of London
The Date Letter: 1818

Duty mark: Head King George III

HxLxD 10,04in x 13,19in x 11,22in

Weight
50,16oz

Private collection

Slight signs of age and superficial scratches. The five hallmarks are present on the side of the basket.