Object number
66/30
Description
This fine willow skein basket was probably a child’s reticule or handbag, although the donor believed it to be a key basket. It is a frame basket with an unusual construction, similar to that of the Sark basket, consisting of two hoops which cross diagonally at the ends. It is rectangular in shape, with a lid and two lapped drop handles, and is missing its fastening. The donor acquired it from a junk shop and knew nothing of its origins, although this type of basket was typically in use in the nineteenth century.
Physical description
1 basket: willow
Archival history
MERL 'Catalogue of baskets' form – 'NAME: Basket (RETICULE) // Acc. No.: 66/30 // Group: PERSONAL USE // Neg. no.: 60/8684 & 60/7202 // Place of origin: ?Bucks [Buckinghamshire], possibly not English // Period in use: 19th century // DESCRIPTION // Materials: wood/White willow, skeined // Shape and construction: Rectangular frame-type slightly rounded everywhere, the construction being very unusual. Lid & two lapped drop handles, skein hinges, closure missing. BS. [number of bottom sticks] 6 St. [number of stakes] 6 each side. Frame of basket is 2 hoops which cross diagonally at the ends. Diagonals are skeined over. Cover St. [sticks] 8. Randed. The construction is like the Sark basket 66/353 // Dimensions: Length: 6” Width: 3” Height: 3” // Use: Probably a child’s reticule or handbag. // Dialect names: // Distribution: // Additional notes: see Illust. G.S. W.S. // Okey. T. Introd. To the Art of Basketmaking. [Okey, Thomas, ‘The Art of Basketmaking’. London, Pitman, 1912] P.143 see card // Repairs & reticules. 1873 & 77. “ “ [see card] // this frame construction is not shown in Duchesne. [Duchesne, R., Ferrand, H. & Thomas, J., ‘La Vannerie’. New Edition. Paris, J-B Bailliere et Fils, 1963] // Same as Sark basket. 66/353.'
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Material
Technique
Associated subject
Associated person/institution
External document
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\60 series negatives\60_8684.tif - High resolution image
- L:\MERL\Objects\Baskets\66_30_cob.tif - High resolution image
