67/85/1

Miniature basketwork furniture,

This settee is one of a set of four pieces of miniature basketwork furniture. It is made of a very fine species of willow, known as ‘mimbre’, which grows in Spain, Majorca and South America. The chair has a lace-like structure of pairing, tracs and plaiting, all of which are typical of the work done with mimbre. It is thought likely that the furniture was made in South America in the nineteenth century, although it could possibly be Spanish.

1 miniature settee: willow

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: FURNITURE (miniature basketwork 1–4) // Acc. No.: 67/85/4 [67/85/1–4] // Group: PERSONAL USE. TOYS // Neg. no.: 60/8658–62 // Place of origin: Unknown. Prob. S. American [underlined in red] or Spanish. // Period in use: mid to late 19th century // DESCRIPTION // Materials: A very fine Spanish willow. Known as Mimbre. Grows also in Majorca & S. America. [South America] // Shape and construction: Lace-like structure using pairing, tracs, 3-rod plait. 2 chairs. Settee. Table. // Dimensions: Chairs & settee: D. [depth] 4 1/2–6” Table D. [depth] 3” // Use: As a toy or ornament. Typical of the work done with this material. // Dialect names: // Distribution: // Additional notes:'

1825 - 1899

Settee, Basketwork

Wright, Dorothy (Recorder)