90/2

This is a rectangular basket, with sides which are higher than the front and back. It is made of buff willow interwoven with rush plaits. It was originally identified as a bicycle basket, but there is no sign of wear from straps being inserted, and the possible remnants of four hinges suggest it may have had a double lid. It has been suggested that it may be a lunch basket. The donor found the basket in her garden shed in Reading, Berkshire.

1 basket: willow; rush;

Visiting researcher note, Margaret Cooper (basketmaker), 21 June 2014 – There are similar baskets in the museum at Castle Donington, Leicestershire., Visiting researcher note, Tim Johnson (basketmaker), 20 June 2014 – This basket is very strange for a bicycle basket, and may be a lunch basket. The remnants of hinges – two on each side – suggest it would have had a double lid, which means there were probably two handles. The use of rush (English rush) makes the basket lighter – not important for a bicycle basket, but is important if it is something you have to carry., MERL ‘Stakeholders’ recording form, December 2013 – Object number: 90/2 // Name of recorder: Karen Lawrence and Annemarie O’Sullivan // General construction method: Stake and strand. Plaited rush. // Overall shape: Rectangular. Additional height on ends. // Materials: Buff willow, rush // Base: 27 x 17cm. 4 stakes, woven with willow. // Sides: Height 18–21cm (top). Stakes crammed – 35, including 4 strong corner posts. Sides begin on ends. 3-rod wale starting with tips. 2 sets of weavers chasing – 3 complete rows of waling. Rush siding – 3-strand flat plait which is able to spiral because no. of stakes is odd – 5 complete rows. Willow = 3-rod slew for 5 rows. 4 more rows of rush. 1-rod willow – slewed to completion x 2. 3-rod wale – 2 sets chasing (the sets are not worked consistently), Small area of packing at each end. // Border: Top 30.5cm x 20.5cm 4-rod border (behind 1) crammed. 4 behind 1. Square corners. // Handles: N/A // Lid: This basket may have had a coach lid [diagram]. // Dimensions: Base 27 x 17cm. Height 18cm at corners. 21cm at centre lengthways. // Anything else to note about this particular basket: If it was a bike basket, there are no signs of wear from straps being inserted. Possible hinges – remnants of 4 hinges – from a lid? // Anything else to note about this type of basket: –, MERL 'Handwritten accession' form (Institute of Agricultural History) – 'Recorder: JMB // Date: 18.7.90 // Description: Rectangular basket made of willow and rush with cane supports [no evidence of cane supports when studied during 'Stakeholders' project, December 2013]. Plaits of rush have been woven in bands between the willow. // Dimensions: Length: 31.0 cm Width: 21.0 cm Height: 18.0–22.0 cm // Associated information: This basket was found in the garden shed at the above address. It is thought to be a bicycle basket.'

Basket, bicycle, Basket, picnic

Wood, willow, buff, Plant fibre, rush

Basketry, stake and strand, Basketry, plaited

Lawrence, Karen (Recorder)
O'Sullivan, Annemarie (Recorder)