Wicker Bowl

Any idea on age and origin?
Thanks

 

These are made in Italy. I have a similar wire frame wall-pocket basket in this weave. When I researched, I found some with "Made in Italy" paper stickers.

 

Funny how it bears a striking resemblance to....

Vintage Native American Pine Needle Basket Tray made by the Coushatta or Koasati tribe of the Southeastern US, measures 2''H x 6''W x 10.5''L, wheat pattern

 

I know! That's what I thought my basket was when I bought it. Something from the south-east states, along the lines of a sweet grass gullah basket or pine needle basket.

But it turns out they are all thicker and sturdier and don't use wire frames for the Teneriffe lace medallions.

 

This is a good example of a type of basket that is "claimed" by some specific cultures, but whose roots can be traced back to several countries and time periods. It might be best described as an American folk art, with a diverse background, which has now spread worldwide.

The basic style, of bundled pine needles stitched together with raffia, combined with circular designs fashioned over wire forms is called "Teneriffe," and is named after Tenerife in the Canary Islands off the coast of Spain. (Teneriffe is the old spelling of the island's name.)

The circular "wheel" patterns had originated with lace makers in Spain in the 16th century, and spread to the Canary Islands. From there, it went via missionaries, merchants, traders, and sailors to South America, and then to the islands of Micronesia, where it was adapted to their local basketry made from palm fiber and pandanus. (Baskets apparently being more useful than lace, and palm fiber more readily available than cotton thread in the islands!)

In the 19th century in the U.S., Seminole Indians were making baskets of bundles of long leaf Florida pine needles, bound with thread. Despite the widespread claims on line, however, there is no documented evidence of any other Native American tribe traditionally making baskets from pine needles.

Where this all starts to come together is shortly after the Civil War, when southern "gentle women" popularized the new fad of making baskets, trays, purses, hats, and other crafts from local pine needles. Raffia from Madagascar had recently become available in the U.S., and soon replaced the use of thread to join the coils, making it possible to create new types of stitches and decorative techniques. And then baskets brought back by sailors and merchants from the Pacific Islands inspired new styles, such as the Teneriffe.

During the Arts and Crafts Movement, books and classes on how to make pine needle, and other, baskets started appearing. Missionaries on the southern Indian reservations were encouraging Seminole and Coushatta women to make baskets as a source of income. By the 1920s, the Coushatta Indian basket makers found that the sedge grass used in their traditional basketry was becoming scarce, so following the lead of non-Indian basket makers, they switched to pine needles, and raffia.

Today you can find instructions for making pine needle baskets on line, in books, and in kits at craft shops like Michael's and JoAnne's, and all over the country...and beyond. A good web reference source can be found at http://www.pineneedlegroup.com/

So there is really no way to tell where, or by whom, this basket was made. Pine needle baskets sewn with raffia were first made by southern Anglo women. The round designs are Teneriffe (traced back to Spain), the center start is called a "Four Leaf Pattern" (popular in the Marshall Islands), the stitches joining the coils are a variation of the "Tunopong stitch" used in the Caroline Islands of Micronesia. The raffia is most likely from Madagascar. Which all helps to explain why similar looking baskets are made, and claimed, by a number of different cultures.

 

@Taupou - Hi! Do you have any info about lacy baskets made on the Italian Island Ischia? I found one reference, but nothing else turns up in web searches.

"For centuries the women from the Italian Island Ischia, wove exquisite baskets that looked like lace. It was a secret passed down in the family women for generations. People tried to copy, but couldn't and the real craftsmanship will soon be lost."
Italian Old Lace Basket photo by Marsha Heiken

 

Made in Italy Expressly for Gimbels Cloth Label
VINTAGE HAND WOVEN CROCHET KNIT STARCHED LACE BASKET FROM ITALY
Ended:May 12, 2016, Sold for: US $4.99 eBay item number: 252376248680

 

Italian Raffia Basket, Italy Straw, Spider Lace Teneriffe, Fruit Basket
...“Made in Italy” tag sewn into bottom.
Listed on 02 Feb, 2015 SOLD $26 USD + Shipping



Cloth/fabric label Made in Italy
Vintage Hand Woven Straw Reed Wicker Lacy Basket Made in Italy

 

Vintage Woven Raffia Basket Flowers on Metal Frame Made in Italy CLOTH LABEL ON BOTTOM




Delicate basket made in Italy CLOTH LABEL

 

nice photo's Laura...whether yours or not..........
my coffee hasn't kicked in yet............

 

Kard, can you or someone fix the three damage spots on your basket??? And @lauragarnet , it looks like you have a really nice collection there!!!

 

@lauragarnet The tiny island of Ischia, off the coast of Italy near Naples, is famous for its baskets, and has made several types over the years. The ones you show are directly related to the Teneriffe baskets. They are simply the Teneriffe pine needle baskets, eliminating the pine needles, and adding this hexagonal stitch originally used on caned chairs. The raffia is woven directly over wire forms.

The plaited "hex" pattern originated in northern India and was introduced to England in the 18th century, where it was used to make sturdy woven seats. It is most-commonly found now in Asian baskets.

Examples of the Ischia raffia baskets are illustrated in Baskets as Textile Art by Ed Rossbach, as are similar examples from Spain.

 

The wall pocket basket is mine and my picture.

The others are not mine, but linked to their original sources.

 

Fascinating information, Taupou. Makes me glad that I opened this thread.

 

I took my little basket out on the deck yesterday to take some close-ups of the pine needles to show to @Taupou. I just wanted to be sure they actually are pine needles.

Sometimes I'm so surprised at the extreme detail that this little camera captures in close-up mode. You can see all the little breathing pores on the surface!

 

Great close ups...it's like I'm actually there to touch them...

 

I am so pleased to see your thread on these baskets, my mother from Ischia used to make these and hand made bags when she was younger, my husband remembers making them too. I have been researching for some time for more information. These frames are made of metal and are hand made, the Teneriffe pattern is done with Raffia, the natural one in those days, however now by synthetic Raffia and are still made to this day. It is a shame to loose the beautiful and simple craft, hence my research. Please feel free to email me if you would like some more information: Email address removed, use "Start a Conversation" kind regards Giovanna

 

This technique and material can be traced to before the beginning of the Roman empire and is still very popular today.