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This decorative basket may originally have been intended to hold fruit. It consists of a high base and shallow, oval-shaped top with crimped sides, and has a handle at each end formed from a loose knot of plaited willow. It is made largely of willow, with green cotton tape woven in and black-stained cane superimposed on the outside and held on with string. It is believed to date from 1880–1900.

1 Basket: wood (cane, willow); textile (cotton tape); good condition

The Ann Mary Pilcher Collection of Victorian Baskets (67/60-94) was collected by Ann Mary Pilcher in 1957-1967, mostly from junk shops and stalls. Mrs Johnstone, as she became, continued to collect Victorian baskets and donated this one to the Museum in 1974., MERL ‘Temporary Catalogue’ form – ‘Further description: Basket woven in two parts; high base (3 ins) and shallow basket top with crimped sides. An oval shape overall with loose knots of plaited willow at either end serving as handles. Structure mainly of this willow, with green cotton tape woven in. Cane, stained black is superimposed on the outside of the basket and held on by string. (The function was probably to hold fruit).’

1880 - 1900

Wood, willow, Plant fibre, rattan, Fibre, cotton

Pilcher, Ann Mary (Donor)
Wright, Dorothy (Recorder)