Cake Basket

Pell, Alfred Duane · ca 1905

Bail-handled, raised and pierced oval basket on a cast openwork oval ring of shells, scrolls and flowers with four, six-lobed feet. Applied cast, serpentine-lobed, gadrooned rim with shells and flowers. Piercework design consists of twelve panels separated by lines of graduated beads that alternate between one scrollwork pattern and two different diaper patterns. Hinged handle has pierced crosslets across its serpentine bow and C and S scrolls at ends; hinges riveted through rim. Rim underside struck with four hallmarks: "B·L" in raised roman letters in clipped-corner rectangle, the raised roman letter "k" in clipped-corner shield, lion passant guardant in clipped-corner shield, and crowned leopard's head in clipped-corner, round-bottom shield. Centerpunch visible.