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Something old … something new church service began, a flower girl made her way down the aisle, strewing
blossoms from a tightly clutched silver basket (sterling or coin). At
Wait. Stop right there. If you’re on the hunt for a wedding the reception following, the now-empty silver basket provided a
gift, how about a two-fer? That’s right: a gift that combines picturesque receptacle for the bridal bouquet and served as an
both options: something old and something new. attractive head table centerpiece. And, when all the wedding
“Hmmm,” you murmur. “A double-duty present? hoopla had concluded, that silver basket found a
That sounds great! But I know how these things permanent place of honor on the dining room
work. It’s probably too good to be true.” table or sideboard of the newlyweds’ home.
Well, brighten up, bridal guest. Your wedding Metal floral accent trim on handle There, the basket could be admired by all (even
gift worries are over. The answer to your highlights a pale blue basket. those unable to afford one of their own).
“something old-something new” conundrum 10-1/2” w, $1,300-$1,500. The market perked up considerably with
is as close at hand as your nearest antique show the introduction of bride’s baskets made of
or online auction site. It’s been around for much less costly silverplate. Soon, they
well over a century, yet its style and usage found their way onto the shelves of main-
remain timelessly modern. stream department stores and gift shops.
It’s a bride’s basket. However, something new had been
Now, if your initial response was added. Relieving all that unrelenting
“huh?”, that’s understandable. Bride’s baskets “silveryness,” and contributing to the basket’s
have often gone by more generic monikers, such usefulness, was the addition of a colorful glass
as flower bowls, fruit bowls, and the like. When insert bowl specifically designed to fit and
first introduced in the late 1800s, however, their complement the silver frame. The lightness of
elegant lines made them a hit with both the design, reminiscent of an actual straw basket,
wedding gift-givers of the time and the couples ably served as a visual offset to the heft of the glass
lucky enough to receive such a memento of their happy and metal which comprised it. Now, this was a gift to
day. And, while the gift tag may have been addressed to be reckoned with.
both bride and groom, there was no denying who the present While early inserts were traditional round bowls, it wasn’t
was really intended for. That’s why, soon after their initial long before manufacturers realized that, with glass as the medium,
appearance, these unique glass centerpieces in their graceful metal tradition could be easily and inexpensively improved upon, the variety
frames were dubbed, and have remained bride’s baskets. serving to boost sales. Processing possibilities were limitless. Glass could
be satin, frosted, dotted with glittering mica chips, or even “cased,”
A Tisket, A Tasket resulting in different colorations on the bowl interior and exterior. The
Bride’s baskets were an offshoot of handled silver baskets, a popular bowl shape soon moved far beyond the ordinary round. Ovals,
(if pricey) wedding accessory during the early 19th century. As the rectangles, triangles, and even shallow circular plates all vied for position

Pink and white ruffle-edge basket, Carnival glass in shades of pink, Unusual pink crackle bowl with Paneled dogwood pattern on an oval
with imbedded mica chips. 11” d, orange, and gold, with cased exterior. hand-painted bird-and-flower decoration. basket in green and gold. Riverside
$500-$600. 8-1/2” d, $500-$600. 10” d, $550-$600. Glass, 1880-1900. 12” longest side,
$700-$800.
40 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles