A George II silver basket, Edward Wakelin, London, 1744

the shaped oval body cast and pierced with insects among fruiting vines and interrupted by four embellished masks, pierced with typical foliate and lattice-work panels, the centre engraved with a later coat of arms within an elaborate rococo cartouche, on four ornate scrolling feet embellished with cartouches enclosing theatrical masks, swing handle

Ralph Sneed (1793-1870) of Keele Hall, Staffordshire, thence by descent
Christie, Manson & Woods, The Sneyd Heirlooms, London, 24 June 1924, lot 64
Sotheby's, Monaco, 30 November 1975, lot 254

Hallmarks clear. Two of the feet with splits/air-holes to base. Very good gauge and crisp condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The arms and motto are those of Sneyd of Keele Hall, near Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire for Ralph Sneyd (1793-1870), elder son of Walter Sneyd  M.P. (1752-1829), sometime High Sheriff of Staffordshire, and his wife, Louisa (d. 1834), daughter of William, 1st Lord Bagot. Ralph Sneyd, a collector of books and works of art, who was High Sheriff of Staffordshire in 1844, inherited the family estate upon the death of his father. Some 25 years later in 1854 he commissioned the architect Anthony Salvin (1799-1881) to replace the original late 16th Century Keele Hall with a large Tudor style mansion on the same site, a project which was completed in 1860. Liberally included in the structure’s stonework as well as above the fireplace in the Great Hall is the Sneyd family motto, ‘Thanke God for All.’

In its obituary of Mr. Sneyd, The Birmingham Daily Post observed that, ‘The family of the deceased has been settled in Staffordshire over seven hundred years, and is, in fact, one of the oldest in the country. The family escutcheon bears a fleur-de-lis, in commemoration of one of its members having distinguished himself at the well-known battle of Poitiers [1356]. The deceased, who was a scholar, and well known as a man of great taste in literature and arts, built the present hall, which is a very fine structure . . . [He] leaves a brother, the Rev. Walter Sneyd, of Denton House, Oxford, who has issue, one son and four daughters.’

Ralph Sneyd inherited from his father an impressive quantity of silver, with Keele Hall providing the perfect setting for such treasures. A massive Victorian silver pilgrim flask by C.T & G. Fox, London 1858, bearing the Sneyd, arms, was sold in these rooms, 8 July 2015, lot 8, where further information can also be found on the Sneyd family collection.