Featured Why I Always Look Closely at Auction Lots of Crappy Baskets

This was the auction lot, as posted. All but one are unremarkable imports.

This is the one that caught my eye - a Choctaw basket made of rivercane. It is unusual to find one with the lid still (mostly) attached.







I rather like the retrofit/repair using a cufflink for the catch for the closure loop -



I was quite happy to pay $35.00 for the lot.

 

Well done! I would never ever have spotted that.

Debora

 

and an older Choctaw at that..... with nice size...and good color remaining....

when I go into my local 2nd hand store.......1st place I visit is the basket isle...

still looking for a Chitimacha to be sitting there !!!

nice find 2mb...

 

I do the same. I have found a nice old Navajo/Paiute wedding basket at the Goodwill once, just sitting in the pile on the shelf. Some little Tarahumara pieces. And two older Hopi plaques at a little junk shop. Just enough to keep me checking.

 

I wouldn't even have known to look. Might have known it was old, but the best I ever find are Longabergers. Need to learn enough to let real basketry "sing" at me.

 

I have gotten extremely lucky at finding great old baskets. I think most people just can't tell the difference. Got a child's berry basket one time for something under $2.00 and sold it for $80. I'm researching one right now - I believe to be 1880 Ikebana which I purchased for $1.25... if I can figure out a few things it may go for big bucks! I love baskets, but I usually don't keep the old ones unless they are very functional and intact... as I use them.
Leslie

 

Wouldn't be surprised if your under-bidder was not after the tray and older basket on the left. You might have offered to sell them any they were interested in to cut your cost. I have employed this technique quite successfully when after something obscure in a lot.

I always look at baskets at the thrift stores. 99 times out of 100, there is nothing. Every now and then I will find something worth purchasing. I would not have recognized this basket as being NA.

 

I do often sell the "lesser" items in a lot at our mall booth - usually is enough to pay for my investment.

 

I must say, this has to be the first time I have ever seen you use the word "crappy."

 

The tray Brad saw is straight out of the 30s/40s. They were craft kit items. If it's intact throw it in the mall for a fair price and most likely pay the freight for the one you were after.

 

when the shoe fits........

 

Throw it in a basket!

 

Good information. Thank you.