Wicker basket identification?

Hello!

I recently acquired this wicker basket at a thrift store. Never bought a basket before, but this one looked like it could be something decent (and at only two dollars, why not?). It is approximately 7 inches across at the top and very sturdy. Also has some nice braiding along the edges.

Any information on this would be greatly appreciated.

 

@2manybooks
@Taupou

 

It looks like a pine needle basket to me, but I don't know the who, when or where.
EDIT: after a second look and remembering to click the pictures to full size, it looks more like bundled straw then pine needles.

 

Where are you located, @Carnivant? Although baskets can travel quite far, it might be a clue as to this one's origin.

I don't recognize it off hand, but it does not look like a recent type made for export. Coiled straw, stitched with a split material that I can't identify. It is interesting how the stitching element is reversed to create the design - dark exterior surface, with the lighter color created by the split face. The rim treatment would be described as a herringbone/false braid stitch.

I will have to puzzle over this one for awhile.

 

Thank you all for the comments!

This was acquired in Saskatchewan, Canada, if that is any help at all.

 

So far, I have found one basket with similar technique that was found in South Carolina -


https://www.ebay.com/itm/135011569294

The search continues........

 

The first thing one looks at in determining where a basket was made, is the material used in the construction. This doesn't appear to be pine needles, there is too much variation in diameter of the strands. I would agree that it is probably a type of straw or grass.

Secondly, what one looks for is the start, and rim finish. The braided herringbone rim is usually associated with Pakistani baskets on the market, especially since they usually are based on Native American Indian baskets, and often mistaken for them. And they use a bundled-straw coiling technique.

I personally have never come across a basket exactly like these, but the fact that two nearly identical baskets were found, is concerning, to say the least. It's often a case of well-planned, and extensive, marketing experience.

I would assume it's an import, probably from Pakistan, made to resemble an African, or Native American, basket. And as to the South Carolina reference, where a basket is found, or purchased, seldom means it was made there. But for a couple dollars, it would be hard to pass up!

 

That one definitely looks very close to mine.

That makes sense. And if the above link is correct on when it was purchased, I guess that would make it a 1980s import from Pakistan.

Thank you very much for all your help, both of you!

 

I would not identify it as Pakistani. Their baskets are, more typically, closely stitched so that the coil bundle is not exposed. They also use date palm leaves as the stitching element, which this does not appear to be. If this type of basket was imported in the 80s, I would expect to be able to find more examples.

It has more in common with a European tradition of coiled rye straw baskets made for holding bread dough as it was rising, such as these French examples, where the dark stitching element is identified as split bramble (blackberry canes) -


https://canvasandcargo.com/products/french-coiled-rye-basket

The tradition came over with German immigrants to Pennsylvania, where they used more oak or ash splints for stitching as these were more commonly prepared for use in other types of baskets -


https://www.zsinta.com/products/ant...aw-open-basket-11-inch?variant=40628260143171

The anomalous features on yours are the reversal of the stitching elements to create a design, and the treatment of the rim. The herringbone/false braid technique does appear in other traditions. But I have not yet found a well documented example that combines all of the features of your basket.

 

Those rye baskets definitely do appear similar... but I've also not been able to find one with the braiding. I guess the search continues then. x)