This is an Art Deco period 'bell' shaped biscuit barrel made of Oak & Silver Plate, by the well known silversmiths Daniel & Arter of Birmingham, & dating to around the 1920's (Daniel & Arter closed in the early 30's).

The body of the barrel has been made from a single piece of oak (there are no joins in either the wood or the grain), with a concave bottom tapering towards the top, rather like a bell.

The barrel has silver plate fittings to both top & bottom; the bottom with a plain, sloping Silver plate band, affixed via 4 decorative, round head brass screws, & the top with a silver plate band incorporating a sunken lip & a crenellated, shield design, again fixed via 4 decorative brass round head screws.

The lid has a raised band of embossed acanthus, & has a decorative finial with a gadrooned edge (the finial is fixed to the top via the original thumb screw).

The barrel has a swing handle, a ceramic liner, & a vacant, shield shaped cartouche.

The barrel is fully marked to both the underside of the lid, & the top rim; the lid with 'D & A' over the 'globe' trademark (Daniel & Arter, who worked from the Globe Nevada Silver Works, Highgate St, Birmingham), the design no. 'H5887', & EPNS; and the top rim with 'D & A' and the design no. 'H5887'. The wooden base of the barrel is marked with a small 'VI'.

Condition is Fantastic; there are only two little spots of very light rubbing to the plate on the top rim (difficult to spot), & there are a few, very light & small scratches to a small portion (around 1") of the bottom rim. The liner is perfect - please see magnified photos.

Dimensions: the barrel stands approx 6 1/2" high (to the top of the finial), with a base diameter of 6 5/8" & a top diameter of 5" (approx 16.6cm, 17.2cm, & 12.7cm).

Please Note Re Postage: Due to the weight (approx 1.3kg packed) Collection, or delivery within reason, is welcome in the Edinburgh / W Lothian area.