A George III Irish sterling silver bread basket, Dublin circa 1770 by Charles Mullen (active 1768-80) Of shaped oval form upon a tapering pierced foot with gadrooned rims. The body with repousse beaded bands with pierced panels in a variety of decoration; nought cross, quatrefoils, diaper work, foliate scrolls and fish scale. The swing handle of pierced interwoven form. The centre engraved with a coat of arms within a Rococo scroll cartouche reserved with lattice work, below the crest of a dexter hand apaumée couped at the wrist, and above the motto Cor Et Manus [SIC Maxus] Concordant. Marked underneath with town mark, standard mark, and makers mark C.M (Bennett 82) only. Length – 34.6 cm / 13.55 inches Weight – 866 grams / 27.84 ozt The crest and motto are for Bates