This gorgeous Silverplate Bread Basket is an elegant find for sure. With a design mimicking a wicker basket, this intricately woven silverplate treasure was produced by the venerable Atkins Brothers of Sheffield.

With roots reaching back to the mid-18th century, the Atkin Brothers story began with Thomas Law, whose silversmithing legacy passed through generations to Henry Atkin—an enterprising craftsman who partnered with John Oxley before founding his own firm.

In 1853, Henry’s three sons—Harry Wright, Edward Thomas, and Frank Shaw Atkin—established Atkin Brothers, a name that would come to represent the height of Sheffield silver. Celebrated for their exquisite craftsmanship and innovative designs, the firm upheld the city’s proud silversmithing tradition well into the 20th century.

Found at market in the north of England, this basket, representative of the Atkins Brothers craft, is perfect for breads, cakes or fruit. Sure to bring beauty to your table, this gleaming basket will serve you well with its historic provenance and certain loveliness.

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Strictly one-of-a-kind and subject to prior sale. In very good vintage condition. 13.5" at widest point x 3"H.

Learn More about Hotel Silver

Once found in Grand Hotels, chic cafés, elegant restaurants as well as luxury steamships and the dining cars of the great locomotives, vintage hotel silver beautifully evokes the Golden Age of Travel. Enduringly crafted using sturdy nickel silver as its base metal and coated with a thick plating of pure, gleaming silver, vintage hotel silver is unmistakeable for its simple, classic lines and its pleasing heft. Often crested with the name of the establishment, the pieces bear the gentle, lovely patina often referred to as a “butler’s finish”.

Produced by the great silversmiths here in the United States, as well as those in Britain and on the Continent, most hotel silver dates from the 1920s to the 1940s. Prized for its perfect blend of form and function, hotel silver was made to withstand the rigors of daily use. Highly collectible, vintage hotel silver is a wonderful addition to any home.

Evoking the days of elegant travel, there are many new ways that hotel silver can be enjoyed. A milk pitcher or sugar basin makes an elegant vase for flowers or fresh herbs on the kitchen counter. A collection of oval platters adds sparkle and depth in a hutch when not being called into service for a buffet or dinner party. A toast rack becomes the perfect way to display photographs, hold fingertip towels in a powder room or organize mail in the office. Mix and match cutlery brings a relaxed sophistication and elegance to any tablescape. Whatever the piece, vintage hotel silver is sure to stir memories not only of your own travels, but of exotic destinations and ports of call from parts unknown.