Featured Basket ID urgent. Thanks!

Helping my 90 year old mother-in-law with a frantic clean out of her home, her house sold in a day, and she has to be out in 10 days (9 days ago), flew out to help my sister-in-law deal with the home. This is a well kept clean Ohio home, 5 bedrooms lots of closets, 57 years in the home. My mother-in-law's parents were somewhat well to do East Coasters from 1850 on, some nicer things being left even in the home for the new owners. EXHAUSTED... a story for another time.

We are close to being done, actually I'm flying back home tomorrow, just noticed this basket that had magazines. Probably nothing but wanted to check before leaving it.

Approx 12-14 inches across, maybe 10 high. Limited photos from my cell.

It's not one of those Nantucket baskets by any chance?

The way the handle fits in is pretty specific, with a metal attachment as shown in first photo.

Sorry for the bad photos. Color is a darker brown, photo was by a window, came out very washed out.

Thanks.

 

It certainly is the style of one, but I always thought they were signed by the maker.

I have one I'll take photos and post.

 

photos.

I think mine is from the 1950's.....maker well known to the industry. However, like most things, value seems to have declined.

 

better photo.

Plus I forgot the one of inside.

 

I would say there seems to be differences....at least in the photos.

It might be from Nantucket, but perhaps not by a qualified maker.

If they were side by side, we could make better comparisons.

 

looks like a nice basket, maybe take it home and figure it out there Lucille

 

do not throw that one to the new home buyers !!!

We'll talk later about leaving stuff in a home for the buyers.....as if we haven't touched on that subject before...

 

i would say it's legit..

 

Just back, finally have a chance to take a short break. (First brief break in eight days, lol!) I think we are in the final stretch.

Very helpful info, Judy. I do see similarities and appreciate you taking photos of your basket. The handle does look similar but I don't see a signature on the base of mine.

Thanks CX and Komokwa, good suggestions.

I'm flying back tomorrow, so either have to find a way to mail this in a small window of time, coming up with a box, etc, OR maybe can put on the top shelf of my mother-in-laws Independent Living apartment with a note "save". I won't leave it. Thanks.

 

the wood has not been cared for and may have at one time been used as a planter.....and been water stained.....
i think i see something on the bottom...

 

Never a planter. It held constantly magazines next to the couch, 57 years in the same home. I'm positive they never oiled it to preserve it or whatever one does with baskets, though. Today I asked my mother-in-law if she remembered where she got it and she had no idea.

Took another look, don't see a signature unfortunately, I think maybe some scratches under the base.

Funny, I'm so immersed in antiques, collectibles etc... but haven't sold baskets. I never even looked twice at this when visiting. It was only today when some of the furniture was out of the home and the basket was sitting there emptied, that it's form struck me as being a bit special and posted here.

If I can fit it in MIL's closet way up top, I'll try to leave it for my next visit.

 

well that basket has dried up ...a lot...and there is staining on the inside base...
but it deserves to live !!

 

I agree with Komo.....it deserves attention.

When you get back home and can breathe again, do some internet searching.

I've had this basket for about 35 years+. This is for home use, but many were made as purses and it was quite a status symbol to carry one.

And, the few I've seen carried have always been signed. The name of the maker proudly displayed. (on the bottom)

When selling, a name is important.

I have kept mine in the kitchen all these years, and I don't ever remember any special care. They will acquire their own patina in time, as mine has.

It's a bit of a mystery why yours hasn't a more mellow one.

The inside of mine is a different color also, but that's because I use it to hold other "treasures"!

 

Contact these people:

www.nantucketlightshipbasketmuseum.org

 

I also thought I could see some squiggles on the bottom of your basket but since I also see cloud pictures I'll trust that they are just scratches as you say.

What I did notice in the link above was that apparently not all baskets we're signed permanently. Here is one with a sticker.

https://www.nantucketlightshipbaske...nt-collection/mitchy-ray-round-covered-basket

 

Having had a chance to review my copy of John McGuire's book, "Basketry: The Nantucket Tradition" (Lark Books, 1990), the construction of this basket looks consistent with the Nantucket baskets. Turned wooden base, with a hole in the center where it was screwed onto a wooden mold. The basket was assembled and woven over the mold to maintain a consistent shape, and then the hole in the base was neatly plugged. The weaving materials are appropriate - wood splint staves and rattan weavers. The "ears" - the parts that are inserted into the weaving and to which the handle is attached - could be either wood or, as in this case, metal. McGuire notes that not all baskets were signed or labeled. It needs a little repair around the rim, but appears well made. IMO a definite keeper.

 

I found a way to mail this.

Can check back when I'm home and it arrives.

Thanks for the help!

 

@Lucille.b , it must have been a whirlwind of a trip! And exhausting. Rest up when you get home, and then tell us more about it in the General discussion forum, if you are up for it.