Sterling silver baskets are amongst the prettiest pieces of antique silverware available on the market today. Silversmiths such as Paul Storr, Paul de Lamerie, Hester Bateman, and William Frisbee have all created beautiful pierced and ornate baskets, all of which vary in style and shape. Typically silver baskets are oval, with swing handles, although before the 1720’s they tended to have handles on each end, and before this they were circular. Silver baskets are rare before the second quarter of the 18th century, but after this, throughout the Victorian period and even up to today, sterling silver baskets were made in great numbers. Silver swing handled baskets were used often as centrepieces for the dining table, the pierced sides allowing the colour of sweetmeats, breads and fruit to be seen, but smaller examples were also made, occasionally with glass liners, used for serving sugar and cream. The decorative and functional appeal of these pretty silver baskets has ensured that they remain popular with collectors, with early examples by well known silversmiths being highly sort after.