1914 Biscuit Barrel

hblock21

Hi,
Some time ago my grandmother gave me this biscuit barrel. It was a wedding gift given to my great grandfather in 1914. I've come across some info on who most likely made it but for some reason there is no clear markings on the bottom of it.
I believe S. Fielding made it for Peek Frean & Co. On other pictures I have seen there are clear markings on the bottom as you can see from the links.
There is a very faint mark I mine, I believe I can read "ERANT" so possibly FREAN. There is also "1851" and two letters"A and (cannot read other)"
The floral design of my barrel seams to be different to what I can find on google also.
As this seams to have been a barrel given to shops who sold biscuits, I don't really understand how someone could buy one for a gift, unless it was a shop-owner that gave the "gift". But it still doesn't explain why there are no blue markings on it like all the others.

Can anyone give any further details on it?

https://www.zibbet.com/biminicricket/edwardian-crown-devon-sf-co-fielding-blush-ivory-vintage-biscuit-barrel-peek-freans-vintage-ice-bucket-vintage-serving-vintage-kitchen
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Staffordshire-Cracker-Jar-Biscuit-Barrel-Peek-Frean-Co-s-Compli-/190868353630

coylemj

I seriously doubt that that container was designed for use in a shop, it's far too small and wouldn't have lasted a week before being dropped. Biscuits used to be sold loose by weight and were stored in large square airtight tins. That container looks like it was intended to be given as a gift.

hblock21

coylemj wrote: »

I seriously doubt that that container was designed for use in a shop.

No, I'm not saying it was used in a shop. From literature I have come across it seams it was given to shopkeepers as a gift if they purchased a certain quantity of biscuits.
Just curious if this is one of the same gifts to shopkeepers or from a difference line which could be bought by anyone as a gift, etc.
The lack of markings on the base is confusing.