67/65

This canoe shaped basket with two handles was used for holding wool and needles for knitting and crochet. It is made of willow skein, straw plait and brown enamelled cane. Its origin is unknown, although it is possibly English, French or German, and dates from 1840–1880.

1 basket: willow, straw, cane

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: BASKET (Knitting & crochet) // Acc. No.: 67/65 // Group: CRAFTS TEXTILE clothing knitting // Neg. no.: 60/8636 // Place of origin: ? England // Period in use: 1840–1880 // DESCRIPTION // Materials: Willow skein. Straw plait. Brown enamelled cane. // Shape and construction: Boat-shape. Pointed ends, opening in centre. Two handles. // Dimensions: L. [length] 14” B. [bottom] 3” D. [depth] 3 1/2” // Use: To hold knitting & crochet. {Must have been much in vogue D.W. [Dorothy Wright]} // Dialect names: // Distribution: // Additional notes: see 58/94 & 55/216'

1840 - 1880

Wood, willow, Plant fibre, straw, Plant fibre, rattan

Wright, Dorothy (Recorder)