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...

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...

George Jones Majolica strawberry server basket which features a mossy textured ground decorated with strawberry plant leaves and flowe...

A very decorative antique Italian maiolica handled pot pourri pottery basket with lion head masks dating from around 1870. This rare and unusual basket is l...

A 19th century crystal and bronze cup A beautiful crystal bowl with gilt bronze trim. Louis XVI style Napoleon III period Diameter: 31 cm Height: 15,5 cm.

19th century gilt bronze and crystal basket A very nice engraved crystal basket, Louis XVI style Napoleon III period In very good condition Measures: L : 20 cm D : 20 cm H crys...

Antique English sheffield silver-plated basket, Circa 1870-1880.

Rare Majolica aqua turquoise handled basket signed Sarreguemines Majolica, circa 1870.