1882 Silver Mistletoe Basket, Atkin Brothers, Sheffield

This is an exceptional late Victorian silver basket dating to 1882, this piece represents an early Arts & Crafts style. This lovely silver basket is of circular form with three equidistant, tapered handles converging at the centre with a Tudor rose at the top of the handle. The body is engraved with mistletoe decoration throughout, and its circular base raised upon three winged ball feet. Monogrammed with interlocking initials Jhj. This piece is hallmarked Atkin Brothers, Sheffield 1882. The Atkin brothers were Harry Wright Atkin (1828-1896), Edward Thomas Atkin (1832-1907), and Frank Shaw Atkin (1837-1901). They were the sons of Henry Atkin. Trade catalogues date the business from 1750, though this probably refers to Henry’s activities. In 1853, his sons registered a silver mark as Atkin Bros and occupied Truro Works, Matilda Street. The firm remained active in Sheffield and London until the mid-20th Century.