French 19th Century Oyster Basket

19th Century Nest of Three Nantucket Lightship Baskets, circa 1880, a graduated set of three round, open baskets having cane weave on rattan staves, a carved swing handle with an elongated ovoid lozenge end connected to tin ears that extend down inside the weave for about a quarter length of a stave, and hardwood bottom plate, likely maple, that is slightly convex and scribed with three concentric rings, The baskets are not signed but are clearly all made by the same hand. The style of the handle with a lozenge end is very similar to that carved by Charles Ray, Capt. Thomas James, William Appleton and circle aboard the South Shoals Lightship, and continued in a more exaggerated manner ashore by A.D. Williams, Ferdinand Sylvaro and especially Mitchy Ray. The handle here has a more slender and elegant profile more akin to the work of Capt. James, suggesting that this nest was likely made by a sailor serving aboard the lightship during James' tenure. All three baskets remain in very good, strong condition, and enjoy a deep patina nicely darkened with age. Unlike most nests which really seem to be more of an assemblage gathered together after the fact, these three baskets nest together nicely with a uniform gradation in size, a feature exemplified by the perfect graduated profile of their handles. This nest was in the personal collection of noted Nantucket folk art...

Very rare 19th century Nantucket Lightship Bushel Basket by George C. Gardner of Nantucket Island (1809 - 1889), an oversized round open basket handcrafted with a fat rattan weave on wide wooden splint staves, a carved wooden heart-shaped handle which is deeply notched above and below the rim and extends under the weave a full half-way down their staves, and a round pine bottom deeply inscribed "George C. Gardner." Captain Gardner lived at 141 Main Street and was also known for making shorebird decoys. The bottom plate...

Mid 1900’s authentic yellow wood slat bucket with metal bands, purposed in the construction field for handling sticky, chunky mud.  

Lovely large sized grape harvesting/gathering basket from the Burgundy region of France. Handwoven with wicker over wooden frame, with central arched carrying handle. Old weathered s...

Antique and extremely rare Nantucket "double lollipop" basket, circa 1900, a shallow oval swing handled basket with carved wooden staves, handle and bottom plate, and cane weave. The...

Beautifully woven early 1900’s Double Wrap Splint Basket with a removable lid on top. The top and underside of the lid projects a wheel like fashion. Gre...

A lovely antique solid bronze basket from France. Will display beautifully among holiday table decor or as a stand alone piece. Circa 19th century. The basket is three and a half in...

19th century French majolica basket with the most gorgeous twig handles we have had the pleasure to see! The handles miraculously have no damage, just a firing crack at the very top...

Lovely handmade iron wirework basket . Very nicely made and a great statement on your countertop or table. France, circa 1850-1900. Weathered.

Wonderful 19th century food caddy basket with two compartments that are also used to serve. Turned woven bamboo with reed and wood. This type of food caddy is often associated with DIM Sum...

An unusual, intact willow and lacquer flower basket with original cast iron hanger. From Shanxi Province, c. 1850. BT369

Polychrome Mission pictorial basket with eagles and highly geometric bottom. Finely woven. Shows little if any use. Period: Last quarter of the 19th...