2011/18

This is a rectangular basket, with a hinged lid and handle, for carrying food for lunch, possibly into the fields. The handle passes through the lid, which would have been secured with a rod, which is now missing. The basket is made from willow using the stake-and-strand method, and probably dates from the 1950s. It was acquired by the donor, a basketmaker and collector of baskets, in 2006.

1 basket with hinged lid: willow

MERL ‘Object Accession Form’ – ‘Short description (free text): Rectangular basket with lid and handle used to transport food for lunch, possibly to the fields. // … // Physical description (free text): Rectangular basket with lid and handle. Made from willow. Made by stake and strand method. Fragile. Minor damage to some strands, the ends of which appear to have uneven/broken edges on the right edge of the lid. Some repairs with thread also on the right end of the lid. The lid is affixed to the basket by means of looping and knotting a willow strand around the lid and basket rim. One fixing remaining, the other missing and lid reattached with string. Rod for closing the basket also missing. Lid overhangs basket. Slight lip to rim in corners. Corners slightly rounded at base. Handle is small and twisted and is affixed by means of looping around a rod in the lid. Basket stands slightly askew, lilts a little to the right as you look at it. // … // Associated information (free text): This basket was originally acquired by Felicity Wood in 2006, but she did not remember anything about its previous owners. It most likely dates from the 1950s... // References: See object MERL 93/76 (Basket, picnic) // 'Baskets in Europe' - Bichard, Maurice (Fyfield Wick Editions, 2008) // 'The complete book of baskets and basketry' - Wright, Dorothy (David & Charles, 1992)’, Felicity Wood No. 110.

1950-01-01 - 1959-12-31

1950s