LATE 19TH to EARLY 20TH CENTURY AMERICAN ANTIQUE NEW ENGLAND PRIMITIVE, HANDMADE, SPLINT ASH & WOVEN SWEET GRASS MELON BASKET, featuring THIN CHARCOAL BLACK WOVEN SIDEWALL BANDS, DISTINCTIVE GEOMETRIC SWEET GRASS DIAMOND HANDLE SIDEWALL TIES & SPLINT ASH BENTWOOD, ARCHING HANDLE
(Circa 1885-1920)
Late 19th to early 20th century American antique New England primitive splint ash & woven sweet grass handled melon baskets & other period handmade decorative basketry
DIMENSIONS:
7" full Height (including handle)
4 3⁄4" Height (not including handle)
7 1⁄2" Width x 8" Depth
Weight: 6 oz.
DESCRIPTION:
For sale is this estate fresh and absolutely untouched late 19th to early 20th century American antique New England primitive handmade splint ash and woven sweet grass bentwood melon basket, featuring distinctive woven diamond-shaped sidewall handle ties in original matte, dry finish, with thin charcoal black banded stripes. The basket only has a few very minor breaks in the woven sweet grass sidewalls, which are barely noticeable but which nevertheless, exist and are evidence of its antique pedigree and which provide clues as to its age. The basket has nearly clean, tight sweet grass weaving, tying together the splint ash framework or scaffolding found underneath. The basket has an overall naturally aged antique wood patina. The bentwood handle was fashioned from splint ash and is attached firmly to each side of the wide-mouthed 'melon' basket. The fibers have naturally aged patina and remain as they should be, matte, dry and fortunately, weren't lacquered or varnished. A few loose, broken away and now missing sweetgrass strands, are the only measurable damage to this otherwise wonderful and very well preserved New England antique melon basket. Lovely.
CONDITION:
Good to Very Good overall antique condition.