1870s Decorative Baskets

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...

This is an elegant antique Victorian brass bound mahogany walking stick stand, circa 1870 in date. The stand is of cylindrical shape, features three brass bands, a pair of ormolu l...

The cover of this majolica game pie dish shows three newly hatched baby chicks emerging from their shells. The chicks are standing tall and proud. The brown color of the baby chicks ...

A large, rare & unusual antique 19th Century French grape picking basket from Chateau Margaux, Bordeaux, France, circa 1870. This very large 19th cent...

Charming Figural Victorian Silver Plated Brides Basket from the late 19th Century. Ornate design with doves nesting around their e...

A large, beautiful, and rare 19th century neoclassical reticulated Meissen centerpiece with open filigree, rams heads, flaming finial, and love bir...

circa 1870s Chinese wedding ceremonial hat box, Zhijang Province. Woven rattan & bamboo with brass hardware. The pedestal base has lost some of the molded floral decoration. Note the...

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...

Antique Nantucket Lightship Basket from the South Shoals Lightship, attributed to Captain Thomas James (Nantucket: 1811 - 1885), circa 1870s, an early round, open Nantucket basket wi...

Early 19thc beautiful dovetailed apple tray filled with alabaster apples. These are included in the apple tray.The walnut tray is dovetailed.

Minton Majolica basket which features pond lily leaves and flowers tied together with lily stems which form the handle. Four flower bud feet. Co...