A fine Charles II beaded basket dated 1670

Lacking one corner piece, losses.

Un-restored condition, with dust and dirt overall with subsequent muting of the colors; the overall color of the basket is similar but slightly less vibrant to the color of the catalogue illustration (illustrated p. 37 of the catalogue); losses to beadwork throughout; upper left corner lacking leaf and flowers; handles bent and in need of straightening; silk tassels and bows tattered; losses to trellis beadwork to left of tree; losses to left out-curved side with beads missing and trellis work snapped; edges to corner leaves with losses to beads and with wear; some fruits to corners lacking; beadwork lacking to snake of tree and at base of tree.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Beadwork, because of its fragile nature, is one of the rarer survivals of the decorative arts to have survived from the latter half of the 17^th century. The colored glass beads naturally retain their original strong hues, most of the surviving articles being in the form of baskets, which were usually presented at the time of a wedding or a birth and made by either professionals or from kits.  The form and shape of these baskets are similar to silver repoussé examples used to hold a baby's clothes before a christening and the present basket was probably given as a commemoration of Mary Baker's birth in 1670.  A beadwork basket depicting Charles II and Catherine of Braganza with allegories of the Four Continents, is illustrated, A. Morrall and M. Watt, eds., English Embroidery from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1580-1700: 'Twixt Art and Nature' , New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 2008, pp. 134-5, fig. 13-13a; exhibition held at The Bard Graduate Center for Studies in the Decorative Arts, Design, and Culture, December 11, 2008-April 12, 2009.