London (1775), in the Neoclassical style, the four leafy scroll feet are joined by drapery swags, the openwork center features an Adam style urn within a beaded cage support, the central boat-form basket with cutwork design and complimentary drapery swag and oval medallions, the recto and obverse shields are feature period armorial engravings, four matching circular and two oval baskets are supported on detachable foliate scroll arms, each smaller basket with repeating engraved armorial crest matching one on larger basket. With one later glass and (2) molded plastic liners for the smaller oval baskets.

17 1/4 x 22 x 15 1/4 in.

103.275 total troy oz.

Rothschild's Fine Antiques, New Orleans, Louisiana (with receipt dated December 15, 1956)
By descent through the family of Mr. Charles S. Davis

By the late 18th century, epergnes were de rigueur for formal dining in France and England. It was the most important and expensive item on the dinner table, used to display and hold fruit that would ultimately be consumed during the dessert course.

Thomas Pitts I, active about 1740-1780, specialized in epergnes. Similar Neoclassical style epergnes and centerpieces by Pitts are in the collections of the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, the Virginia Museum of Fine Art and Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, Massachusetts.

All four lower swags with old soldered repairs, one swag with current break; one lower arm may be a possible later replacement, but the detail and workmanship match the whole very well.