Bread basket 1744 - 1745

This silver bread basket was crafted by Paul de Lamerie, a renowned silversmith, in 18th-century England. It serves not only as a functional object but also as a potent symbol of wealth and social status in Georgian society. The intricate detailing of the basket, with its floral motifs, cherubic figures, and elaborate handle, speaks to the opulence and refinement valued by the aristocratic elite of the time. This was a society marked by extreme social stratification, where objects like this served to reinforce class distinctions. The basket, originally intended to hold bread for the tables of the wealthy, reflects the vast disparities in access to basic resources. To understand the basket fully, one must consult archival records, period literature, and studies of material culture. These can give an insight into the social dynamics of 18th-century England and how objects like this both reflected and perpetuated those structures. The basket, therefore, is more than just a beautiful object, it’s a historical document.