A GEORGE IV SILVER BASKET, WILLIAM ELLIOTT, PROBABLY RETAILED BY THOMAS HAMLET, LONDON, 1822

flared circular, the rim cast as a wreath of roses above palework sides applied with a band of fruit-laden vines, on a rim foot decorated with a foliate guilloche border on a vine strewn matted ground

28cm diameter, 1737gr (55oz) excluding probably associated cut-glass liner

This basket may have originally formed the central feature of an epergne or centrepiece. Given the impressive gauge and the quality of the cast and chased work present here, the whole ensemble must have been an exceptional piece. William Elliott (1773-1855) was apparently the main supplier of silver to the retailer Thomas Hamlet (c.1770-1853). Hamlet, rising from murky origins, became one of the most fascinating figures peopling London's early 19th century trade in luxury goods, appearing in a number of works by Thackeray as the great jeweller Mr Polonius ('The History of Samuel Titmarsh and the Great Hoggarty Diamond', 'Vanity Fair' and 'The Bedford Row Conspiracy'). In the 1820s and 30s he was thought to be immensely wealthy, supplying to members of the royal family, getting involved with the Aldobrandini tazze, setting up a theatre and amassing an important picture collection. To the surprise of his contemporaries however, the structure of his fortune proved to be built on shaky foundations: the edifice collapsed and he was declared bankrupt in 1841. For further detailed discussion of both Elliott and Hamlet, see John Culme's footnote to a Chinese celadon moon flask with silver mounts, Sotheby's, London, 4 July 2018, lot 88.