Fruit Basket

1729

Fruit Basket, 1729. Paul Jacques de Lamerie (British, 1688–1751). Silver; overall: 9.1 cm (3 9/16 in.); center: 33 x 29 cm (13 x 11 7/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Grace Studebaker Fish in memory of her father, John Mohler Studebaker 1936.353 Silver fulfilled a prominent role in projecting wealth, status, and power in British life during the 1600s and 1700s. During this time, the arrival of silversmiths from continental Europe infused Dutch, French, and German influences within established English taste. For example, this basket was produced by Paul Jacques de Lamerie, who, despite being the preeminent silversmith in Britain during the early 1700s, was born in the Netherlands to minor French nobility. Unlike later designs, this work, with its rope-twisted handles, scalloped edges, and interweaving pattern, still closely resembles the straw baskets that inspired its shape and decoration. The presence of handles suggests that this fruit basket was designed to be passed among guests after dinner.