Lightship Basket

The tradition of the lightship basket remains a symbol of the island and its history.

Nantucket Lightship Basket miniature locket named "Ivy North" in 18k is shown here as the art of miniature with exacting detail to a mechanical front closure using a small gold pin.

Three woven Nantucket lightship baskets, more than likely part of a larger nesting set.

Miniature Nantucket lightship basket, made with oak staves and swing handle, with a maple base.

Nest of four shallow round Nantucket lightship baskets with mahogany bases and carved oak bail handles.

Lightship basket are unique to the Cape Cod region of the US and were first created by crewmen on whaling ships and lightship vessels as a way of passing the long days spent at sea.

The mahogany bottom has four concentric rings which are typical features of an Andrew Sandsbury made lightship basket. Andrew Jackson Sandsbury (1830-1902)put in 20 years on board th...

Open oval Nantucket Lightship Basket woven without a mold. Measure: 9 ½”.

One Egg Nantucket Lightship Basket in great condition with a very deep dark patina.

12”Open round Nantucket lightship basket with Oak swing handle and Mahogany bottom Attributed to Ferdinand Sylvaro (1868-1952) c.1930

On top of being a successful whaler and a civil war veteran he served 11 years on board the South Shoal Lightship. Lightship baskets made on lightships in particular are coveted for ...

Unusually large Nantucket lightship basket with hand carved oak handle and base made by Arthur R.

Rare antique covered Nantucket Lightship basket by A.D. Williams (1867-1927) circa 1900.

Antique Nantucket Lightship Basket by Davis Hall (1828 - 1906), circa 1880, made aboard the South Shoals Lightship.

10 ½” Open round Nantucket lightship basket with carved wooden oak ears with oak staves, handle and rim.

The basket has a warm honey patina, made with oak staves and swing handle, the handle has a brass pinned name plate attached to the top. The bottom plate is made out of Pine. Remnant...

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 ...

Exceptional Nantucket Lightship basket in excellent condition made by Sherwin Porter Boyer (1907-1964).

Nantucket lightship handbag in woven split bamboo with a distinctive carved whale mounted on top of the basket to the burl walnut lid plate.

This large 13" oval swing basket has an oak swing handle and staves, brass ears, and Maple bottom.

19th Century Nantucket Lightship Basket by Capt. Thomas James (1811 - 1885), circa 1870, a round open swing-handled basket having cane weave on rattan staves with beveled edges, pine...

A great basket in excellent condition made by Sherwin Porter Boyer (1907-1964). Made with oak staves and carved oak handle that is attached with brass ears. The basket bears Boyers s...

A great basket in excellent condition made by Sherwin Porter Boyer (1907-1964). Made with oak staves and carved oak handle that is attached with brass ears. The basket bears Boyers s...

Rare constructed 19th century basket with cane staves and oak ears that are finely shaped and extend to the bottom plaque, the bottom plaque is heavily turned and is scribed on the i...

The basket is made with oak staves and has a carved oak handle. Made by Paul Willer.

Made with oak staves, handle, mahogany base and attached brass ears, in excellent condition. The poem on the label reads” I was made in Nantucket, I’m strong and stout. Don’t lose me...

Open round basket with oak staves, handle and walnut bottom. Pristine condition with original paper label reading "Made by Ferdinand Sylvaro 97 Orange St Nantucket Mass" Ferdinand...

12" carved oak swing handle and rare “clothespin” style oak ears witch are notched. The base is stamped “Jas. Wyer”. Made by Captain James Wyer (1816-1899). Wyer was a retired Whal...

With oak staves, handle and sycamore bottom. Pristine condition with original paper label reading "Made by Ferdinand Sylvaro, Nantucket". Measures: 5 ½”.  

Large oval basket in great condition with a warm honey patina, oak staves and handle with a walnut base. A perfect example of a Chadwick basket showing his rounded handle form that e...

Nantucket Lightship jewelry is a tradition in New England. This handmade cuff celebrates the tradition with a modern esthetic by adding gold and Akoya pearls. Thick natural cain & ra...

Paul Willer made Nantucket lightship baskets at the House of Orange from the 1970s thru the 1990s.

(Biography adapted from The Nantucket Lightship Basket Museum).

(Biography adapted from The Nantucket Lightship Basket Museum).

He met Mitchy Ray, the last person on island still making Nantucket baskets at that time, and learned the craft. Within a few years Jose adapted the traditional Lightship basket form...

He met Mitchy Ray, the last person on island still making Nantucket baskets at that time, and learned the craft. Within a few years Jose adapted the traditional Lightship basket form...

The basket has two oak swing handles with oak staves and pine bootom Signed and dated Willer, circa 1982. Made by Paul Willer, born 1930 Measures: 9” x 9” x 5”.  

Attributed to A.D. Williams (1857-1940) of Orange St on Nantucket. Thie basket was made sometime circa 1920-1930 and was used as a market basket. The woven lid is secured with a b...

The basket was made with no handle. A paper label on the bottom bears the pencil inscription "Nantucket Lightship Basket" along with another illegible word and two early prices of $1...

He was befriended by Mitchell Ray, who showed him the craft of weaving a Nantucket Lightship Basket. With Mitchy’s encouragement and a few of the molds that he had inherited from his...

He met Mitchy Ray, the last person on island still making Nantucket baskets at that time, and learned the craft. Within a few years Jose adapted the traditional Lightship basket form...

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...

Mint condition with oak bail style handles, with mahogany base which has incised rings and a brass button. The exterior bottom retains the original paper jelly label and the origin...

Mint condition with oak bail style handles, with mahogany base which has incised rings and a brass button. The exterior bottom retains the original paper jelly label and the origin...

Ferdinand Sylvaro owned molds that belonged to Davis Hall, a famous basket maker of the late 1800s who was a lightship keeper of the New South Shoal.

He met Mitchy Ray, the last person on island still making Nantucket baskets at that time, and learned the craft. Within a few years Jose adapted the traditional Lightship basket form...

Nantucket Lightship Rattan Basket, By Rev. Warren Bouton of Nantucket, 1984.

Very rare Nantucket lightship friendship basket shoulder purse by Jose Formosa Reyes.

One egg Nantucket lightship basket in great condition with a rich honey patina.

Antique Nantucket Lightship Basket, attributed to Charles Ray (1798-1884) circa 1870.

Round, open top Nantucket lightship basket in woven bamboo with oak stays, a slender carved oak handle with lollipop ends, and a round, hard wood bottom plate with two concentric scr...

3" Small round Nantucket lightship basket with Oak staves and swing handle.

The staves and handle are both made of oak with a mahogany base. Most of the poem label still remains on the exterior bottom; "I was made in Nantucket, I’m strong and stout. Don’t lo...

Nantucket Lightship Basket jewelry is a tradition in New England.

Woven split bamboo handbag with walnut foot and lid. The lid is fitted with a carved scallop shell. Signed and dated on the underside: Farnum, 1979 Nantucket, Rhode Island, 1979. D...

Nantucket basket serving tray by Lucille LaRochelle with carved cherry side handles highlighted by matching cherry staves, cherry rim and base, and rattan woven body