This is an antique Victorian "bride's basket" or wedding basket, made of silver-plated metal, used historically to hold flowers. It features a distinctive twisted handle and ornate, engraved floral patterns on the shallow bowl. This piece can be dated to approximately c. 1880–1895.
Popular during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, these decorative handled dishes were traditional luxury gifts for a newly married couple. They were commonly used at the wedding head table to hold the bridal bouquet or flower petals, and later used in the home to display fruits or candies.
The swing handle allowed guests to easily lift and pass around the table when the basket was used for serving baked goods, fruits & fancy candies. When the basket was used as a centerpiece, the handle could be pushed down so it wouldn't block the view or conversation of guests across the table.
The basket features a central recessed indentation, an engraved floral motif across the bowl surface, an ornate scalloped rim,a signature swinging/folding twisted wire bale handle and has raised small feet at the bottom to elevate the tray off table surface. Made from quadruple silver plating over a base metal like brass or copper. Quadruple plating means it used four times the standard amount of silver during production, making it highly durable.
The maker's stamp on the bottom identifies this piece as a Victorian creation by Osborn & Co. of Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
This item is a antique item and has signs of wear and heavy tarnishing.
