Good morning, Ralph, Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry. This is a chestnut basket; the open sides would have allowed hot chestnuts to cool. The market for porcelains such as this have dropped considerably since 2008. The following auction sales have been used to research the fair market value of your basket: https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/a-sevres-chestnut-bowl-circa-1760-xo5xnnz2f6 https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/a-sevres-chestnut-basket-and-cover-tp8xrq0yvw https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/sevres-porcelain-chestnut-basket-with-stand-late-29b1683bed Based on the photographs and information provided, and subject to examination, this is: A Sevres hand painted ormolu mounted porcelain chestnut basket Late 19th century underside with underglaze blue double L Sevres mark; inscription translates to "model and decoration exclusively by hand" 3 1/2 inches high, 11 inches across handles, 7 1/2 inches deep PROVENANCE: inherited from mother $700-1,000 (represents a fair market value for auction purposes; retail or asking prices may vary. Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, and thank you for using Mearto.
