Help ID Sterling ?

Recently found this sterling (at least that's what it's marked) candy dish-can anyone pleas ID the mark ?
Also,it's 3 ounces and I'm wondering if it'd just be more realistic to scrap it.
Thanks for the feedback.

 

don't scrap that....it's lovely !!!!!!

 

I'm thinking your lovely piece may have originally had a glass liner...?

Close...
https://www.silvercollection.it/americansilvermarksmn.html




And...
https://www.925-1000.com/americansilver_B.html

 

Thanks all for the FB !

 

I am probably way off, but many years ago I saw something similar with dark blue glass bowl in that. It is a really nice piece.

 

A wedding present, fur sure.

Debora

 

perfect find for the 31st !!!!!!

.

 

Casual observation: people will buy sterling silver baskets. I hope you don't decide to scrap it, but, of course, it's yours to do with as you please.

 

No size is mentioned, but it appears to be a bon-bon basket, circa 1910s-20s, if so it's unlikely to have ever had a glass liner, especially with those rim indentations.

Regarding the maker, both citations shown are in error, like most if not all, online or published references concerning Manchester Mfg. Co., Baker-Manchester Mfg. Co., and Manchester Silver Co. 'W.H. Manchester & Co.', founded in 1892/93, was the first to use the 'M' in shield supported by birds, continued in use when succeeded by 'Manchester Mfg. Co. in 1898, which went bankrupt in 1915. They were deeply in debt, their main creditor by far was precious metals refiner George M. Baker, who in 1915 acquired "all Machinery, Tools, Dies, etc.", along with their trademark, succeeding as 'Baker-Manchester Mfg. Co.' - W.H. Manchester, Jr. and his father started setting up their new firm 'Manchester Silver Co.' the same year, their trademark the 'M' in cross & crown, but they resigned in 1917, the company remaining in business under different ownership into the 1980s. Baker-Manchester remained in business until 1929, when Manchester Silver Co. "secured a number of the dies and tools of the Baker-Manchester Mfg. Co. which recently liquidated."

~Cheryl

 

Some bon-bon baskets from a 1917 retailer's catalog:



~Cheryl

 

I luv Bon- Bons !!

 

@DragonflyWink Thanks for the great information Cheryl.The dimensions of the piece are 5" across by 4 1/8" high (w/ handle raised).
These sterling pieces went for a lot during WWI-no wonder there so blasted hard to find (at my price point).
I prob won't scrap it-just racking my brain in my ongoing search on ways to avoid Ebay !
PS- @komokwa superb spooky catch,it's a perfect 'BOO' face, bit sadder than the 'Scream' mask.

 

A lot of them are called "Bride's baskets" because they were wedding gifts. They are making a comeback in certain circles.

 

Before becoming popular as wedding gifts, they actually served a purpose. According to livingheritagemuseum:
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.

 

Have some serious doubt regarding the suppositions regarding the use of 'bride's baskets' at weddings prior to their appearance in manufacturer catalogs with their actual purposes stated, or if it was even common at all. Have to wonder if the author, as well as the author of a similar earlier article linked below, would be able to cite reliable reference for those claims.

https://www.antiquetrader.com/collectibles/ten-things-brides-basket

I've been involved with antiques since my parents owned an antique store in the early '70s, the silverplate pieces with fancy glass inserts were then already long described as 'bride's baskets', the name noted as coming from being popular wedding gifts. Online now, silver and silverplate baskets, regardless of age, form or size, with or without glass inserts, are often described as 'bride's baskets', keywords for sellers.

References to the various actual names of those pieces called 'bride's baskets' are easily found in period ads, catalogs, etc., as well as mention of 'bride's baskets' in later reference books and articles, but I'm just posting some information from the late silver expert Dorothy Rainwater:





~Cheryl