67/78

Child's bicycle basket, or possibly a basket to hang on the side of a washstand to hold toiletries. It is probably French in origin.
This is a child's bicycle basket, although it has also been suggested that it is a basket to hang on the side of a washstand to hold toiletries. It is probably French in origin. It is a semi-circular basket made of white willow rod and skein, with an open bottom and sides. It has two wire hooks for attachment.

1 basket: willow, metal

The Ann Mary Pilcher Collection of Victorian Baskets (67/60-94) was collected by Ann Mary Pilcher in 1957-1967, mostly from junk shops and stalls. Little history is known about any of them., MERL 'Catalogue of baskets' form – 'NAME: CHILD’S BICYCLE BASKET // Acc. No.: 67/78 // Group: PERSONAL USE // Neg. no.: 60/8651 // Place of origin: prob. French. // Period in use: very late 19th or early 20th century. // DESCRIPTION // Materials: White willow rod & skein. Wire hooks. // Shape and construction: Half hoop. Open bottom & sides as in fitching. For description of this type of willow work see J. Duchene La Vannerie. 1963. [Duchesne, R., Ferrand, H. & Thomas, J., ‘La Vannerie’. New Edition. Paris, J-B Bailliere et Fils, 1963] Vol. I. p.304 et seq. // Dimensions: WB. [width of bottom] 4” LB. [length of bottom] 7” D. [depth] 5 1/2” WT. [width of top] 6” L.T. [length of top] 9 1/4” CS.[corner sticks] 2 BS. [number of bottom sticks] 12 // Use: On a bicycle // Dialect names: // Distribution: // Additional notes: According to Joy Viall, a basketmaker, this basket is similar to one shown in an Army & Navy catalogue and might be a basket to hang on the side of a wash stand to hold toiletries.'

1875 - 1924

Wood, willow, Metal

Wright, Dorothy (Recorder)