Antique Bridal Basket, Silver Plated

A bride’s basket is an elaborately designed basket consisting of a silver base and handle, which holds a glass insert dish. They were popular between the 1860’s and 1910’s. Originally, they were coin or sterling silver and used for carrying flower blossoms in wedding processions and for displaying the bridal bouquet during the reception. After the wedding, these decorative glass dishes were used as centerpieces and for holding sweets or fruit in the newlyweds’ dining room.
Due to the expense of solid silver, manufacturers made these baskets more affordable to the public by producing them with silver-plating, nickel silver, and Britannia metal. In the late 1800’s came the addition of a glass insert bowl specifically designed to fit the metal frame. The endless possibilities of embellishments in the glasswork provided a great deal of variety. Many shapes of baskets, such as ovals, triangles, and squares, were produced. The glass itself could be frosted, or hand painted, and enameled.