Majolica Cherries Basket Sarreguemines, circa 1940

Majolica cherries Basket Sarreguemines, circa 1920.

French Majolica grapes basket signed Sarreguemines, circa 1920.

A rare and stunning French majolica twin handled pottery bowl applied with birds by renowned maker Sarreguemines and dating from the latter 19th century. The rounded bowl stands raised on four half ball shaped feet with a basket weave styled design. The rounded bowl is applied with decorative panels in low relief with leaf and stem handles to either side and with birds, their wings out spread, perched on a scorlling vine. The bowl has a raised rim with gothic style pierced panels and is richly hand painted in tones of brown, green, red, yellow, white and black. The inner bowl and base applied with bright turquoise glazes. The bowl is numbered 537 and has impressed SARREGUEMINES and MAJOLICA marks...

Early Vintage Mattapoisett Basket, likely by Gladys Ellis, Mid 20th Century, a hand-crafted basket modeled after a Nantucket purse, having a flat oval "clamshell" lid hinged above an oval body, made of hand-stitched longleaf pine needles and raffia in braided and lace-like arrangements, with two braided raffia handles, a stitched hinge, and a silk lined interior, not signed. This is one of her very early baskets made before she started adding ivory tops and fixtures. The basket remains in strong original condition with no discernible breaks to the weave. There may have once been a loop closure at one point. Measures: 5-1/4 in H x 9 in L x 6-1/4 in W A local adaptation of a Nantucket basket first designed by Gladys Ellis (Mattapoisett: 1917 – 2011). The Mattapoisett basket is made in the shape and nature of a Nantucket basket, but uses southern yellow or longleaf pine needles and raffia coiled and sewn on a frame with a lace-like effect, often incorporating scrimshaw panels on the top and sides, sometimes as well as clasps and handle knobs...