Wonderfully ornate over-the-top cake basket by one of the premier silver plating companies of the late 19th century that still amazes me even today with all of the hand work and ornamentation.Heavy base metal pedestal serving dish with an ornate handle that has much repousse and etching. The interior of the serving plate is etched with fans, birds, cherry blossoms and Japanese umbrellas. There are repousse bands around the dish lip and above the feet. The feet are ornate with flowers and geometric designs. The handle is so imaginative with floral urns at the bases and a beaded swirl finial. The handle is a double loop of metal with brass pins to pivot the handle. The basket still has much silver and has shined up well.There is an applied seal of a lion holding an urn over a spiraled bar. on the basket base. It reads MERIDEN SILVERPLATE CO. NO. 1650.MEASUREMENTS 10a€ (25.4 cm) diameter x 6 ??a€ (16.5 cm) tall without handle. 15a€ (38.1 cm) tall with handle. Weighs 3 lb 2.9 oz (1.44 kg)CONDITION There are no dents, cracks, or breaks. There are slight wear scratches in the central basket well. The handle has a hard time staying upright. There is quite a bit of silver left and it still polishes up pretty well. The basket sits flat on a table but it has a bit of wobble.A shiny over the top piece of Victorian serve ware that is still useful today for serving over the top desserts. A very rich opulent looking cake basket.Item ID: S-1773