Collection Online as of May 18, 2022

Cake Basket

1753

maker

Samuel Herbert and Company

Silver

26.4 x 30.1 cm (10 3/8 x 11 7/8 in.)

Gift of Richard and Ann Gridley 2016.302

Location

203A British Painting and Decorative Arts

Fun Fact

Sheaves of wheat adorning the rim of this basket allude to the flour used in pastries and cakes for tea.

Description

Drinking tea at the end of the day, accompanied by sweet cakes and savory delights, became an established ritual in Britain at all levels of society during the 1700s. In grand houses, silver teapots, caddies, and cake baskets elevated this afternoon refreshment to a formal gathering.

Inscriptions

Inscription

“H/I I”; hallmark for London, George II, Samuel Herbert and Henry Bailey, and date 1753.

Inscription

“To/H.H.M./from/S.K., E.W.G., J.H.J., D.R.L., M.B.R./on the occasion of his/Silver Wedding/1911-1936”

Inscription

“50-2”; hallmark for London, George II, Samuel Herbert and Henry Bailey, and date 1753.

Provenance

1753-?

(Samuel Herbert and Henry Bailey, London)

1936-?

Sir Herbert Henry Merrett, by descent to his grandson, Richard Gridley

?-2016

Mr. and Mrs. Richard and Ann Gridley, Cleveland, OH, given to the Cleveland Museum of Art

2016-

The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH

Citations

No existing citations

Exhibition history

No existing exhibition history

British Gallery Reinstallation (June 2020). The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer).