A GEORGE II SILVER SWING-HANDLED CAKE BASKET, JOHN JACOBS, LONDON, 1753 |

shaped oval form, flat-chased flowers and rocaille below sides pierced with leaf scrolls and saltires, Vitruvian scroll border incorporating bacchanalian figures and rams, engraved with a coat-of-arms, the handle with wheatsheaf brackets and centred by later armorials within a contemporary cartouche, on shell supports below further wheat sheaves, scratch weight 60=5

Sotheby's, London, 29 November 2006, lot 93

Both coat-of-arms are slightly later in date. Clear marks and scratch-weights to underside. Handle clearly part-marked. Good condition.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The arms on the handle are those of Darby with Grant in pretence, probably for Francis Darby (1753-1850) of Sunnyside House, Coalbrookdale. He was the great-great-grandson of John Darby, founder of the celebrated ironworks at Coalbrookdale. Francis married Hannah, only child and heiress of John Grant of Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, on 16 June 1808. 

The engraved arms in the basket are those of Sir Robert Peel, Bt., Prime Minister of the United Kingdom between 1834-35 and 1841-48.