67/77

This egg basket, made of white willow rods and skein, was possibly made in France. It is a rectangular basket with straight sides and a handle going from side to side. Within the basket are eight cylinders, 2.5cm deep, for holding eggs. It was used by the donor’s mother when buying eggs and for storing them in the kitchen.

1 basket (egg): wood: willow; good condition.

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, (egg) // Acc. No.: 67/77 // Group: DOMESTIC Storing food // Neg. no.: 60/8650 // Place of origin: ? France // Period in use: 1920–1940 // DESCRIPTION // Materials: Willow rod & skein // Shape and construction: Rectangular. Straight sides. Bow from side to side, lapped. 8 circles 1” deep sewn in to take eggs. Appears to be same type of work as cradle (67/90) // Dimensions: WB. [width of bottom] 4” LB. [length of bottom] 8” D. [depth] 1 3/4” // Use: In the kitchen by the donor’s mother & when buying eggs. // Dialect names: // Distribution: // Additional notes:'

Wright, Dorothy (Recorder)