Paul de Lamerie
English, 1688 - 1751George II Oval Cake Basket, 1742
Not on view
Silver
Dimensions14 7/8 × 11 7/8 × 11 7/8 in.
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. William L. Richards through the Viola E. Bray Charitable Trust, 1984.23
Paul de Lamerie was one of the most prolific English silversmiths of the 18th century. He worked in the Rococo style, a popular 18th-century artistic movement that emphasized sinuous curves, organic forms, and ornate details. He was successful not only for his lavish, inventive designs but also for his business prowess. He was a skilled self-promoter and understood the silver market. This cake basket would have been used during an elaborate dinner and could have been used to hold anything from sweet cakes to fruit. The low edges and wide lip of the basket offered guests a nearly unobstructed view of whatever item was placed inside.
