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Basin
Marked by: Unidentified Maker
English
1599–1600
Object Place: Europe, London, England
Medium/Technique
Silver gilt and basse-taille enamel on silver
Dimensions
H. 6.8 cm (2 11/16 in.); Diameter 49.2 cm (19 3/8 in.); Weight 2,948 gm (94 oz 15 dwt)
Credit Line
Gift of Richard C. Paine
Accession Number46.845
CollectionsEurope
ClassificationsSilver
DescriptionThe circular dish has a flat rim that is embossed with six ovals enclosing, alternately, clusters of fruit and dolphins. The spaces between the bosses are engraved with flowers and foliage. The rounded well of the basin is similarly engraved, with insects and masks incorporated into the design. The raised center of the dish is filled with three embossed ovals enclosing dolphins and, in between, clusters of fruit against a matted ground. The base of the central boss is stamped with fluting and the middle section with ovolo decoration. The top of the boss is a white silver disk with a coat oi arms in basse-taille enamels in manganese, gree red, blue, and black. The dish was raised from single sheet, embossed, chased, and engraved. The central boss is composed of five stamped and drawn wires. The silver disk with enameled arms is secured with a serrated bezel. There are some losses to the enamel, particularly the green surrounding the shield. The gilding has been renewed.
Marks
On rim, date letter B; lion passant; leopard's head crowned; indistinct maker's mark
InscriptionsArmorials: In central boss in basse-taille enamel, the arms of Cholmondeley impaling Holford for Sir Hugh Cholmondeley of Cholmondeley (1552–1601), who in 1575 married Mary, daughter of Christopher Holford of Holford, Cheshire
ProvenanceBy descent to Lord Delamere; July 16, 1930, sold by Lord Delamere at Christie's, Manson & Woods, London, lot 63, and bought by Garrard & Co., London; By 1946, sold by Garrard & Co. to Richard C. Paine, Boston; 1946, gift of Richard C. Paine. (Accession date: September 12, 1946)