Pine Needle & Splint basket

I'm hoping taupou or someone who knows baskets will be able to help me determine what this is. It is 5" x 6" and puffy. There is a loop attached to the edge of the diamond shaped hole. Did it have a cover of some kind? I can't figure out what it's for. It was in my Aunt's stuff.

 

It's a northeastern Indian basket, most likely Penobscot, called a "handkerchief basket."

It's made from ash splints and sweetgrass.

These were popular items made for the tourist trade in late Victorian era up to 1930's or so.

 

Thank you. My aunt used to have it on her bureau with necklaces in it. It's too fragile to use, but I'll put it in my display case.

 

Yes, it did have a lid, or cover, that fit over the square opening. Here's a current eBay listing showing one with the lid on: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Penobscot-Indian-Handkerchief-BASKET-Sweet-Grass-Main-/231297476848

 

They are quite fragile, so not many survived. But at the same time, since there aren't very many, people often don't recognize what they are, and there doesn't seem to be too much interest in them, in terms of re-sale value. (I'd keep an eye on that listing. I've never seen them sell for anywhere close to the opening price. Maybe the market has changed.)

They are unique and interesting baskets. It's deserving of a nice place in your display case.

 

Taupou--- I love it when you are around ! I learn so much on this board

 

The way things work here, I may actually find the cover in another box. When my Mom passed away, I was organizing her tons of costume jewelry and found a lot of single earrings. When my Aunt passed away a few years later, lo and behold, the mates to some of the earrings showed up. They used to borrow each others stuff all the time.

 

Anne's House of Dreams. The sweetgrass handkerchief basket which belonged to the schoolmaster's wife.

Hi, Sue!

 

Its amazing how the Native Americans made such lovely items from nature.

 

Still do..........

 

Lovely basket. Thanks for the id, Taupou.