60/770

Ose,

This ‘ose’, a poultry basket in use since circa 1300 and said to be for carrying broody hens, was made in Kilmuir in Skye. Oses were also traditionally used to hold doves at the Presentation of the Infant Christ in the Temple. It is an unusual type of frame basket, made of white willow, in which the pouch forms part of the handle. After one of these baskets appeared in the ‘Living Traditions’ exhibition in Edinburgh in 1951 they became popular as a shopping basket.

1 basket: willow (white)

MERL miscellaneous note, B. L. 22 March 1961 – ‘The British Council collection. // This collection of material which is covered by the accession numbers 60/430 to 60/791 contains examples of craft products made in the British Isles. The major part of the collection was prepared immediately after the Second World War for a travelling exhibition which was sent to Australia and New Zealand. // The collection was purchased for a nominal sum by the Museum in two portions, the one in the summer of 1960 and the other in February 1961. // For further details see the individual catalogue cards and the catalogue prepared for the temporary exhibition of the collection.’, MERL 'Catalogue index' card – ‘A Skye ‘ose’ basket supplied by Highland Home Industries, 111a George Street, Edinburgh, 2. // The basket is formed by the close weaving of peeled willow on a frame-work of almost circular sections, the main members of which pass over the top of the basket from the handle. // The height is 15 inches.’, MERL 'Catalogue of baskets' form – 'NAME: Hen BASKET (ose) // Acc. No.: 60/770 // Group: CRAFTS Wood baskets // Neg. no.: 60/3680 // Place of origin: Skye. Kilmuir. // Period in use: ?1300–present. // DESCRIPTION // Materials: White willow. // Suppliers at date of accession: Highland Home Industries, 111a George St Edin. [Edinburgh] 2. // Shape and construction: A pouch where the handle is a part of the basket. It belongs to the frame type but is unlike any of them. There are 5 complete frame rings & 14 shorter frame pieces put in after. The weaving is in skein, 6 to the 1”. // Dimensions: Height: 15” at widest part 18” long & 11” across bottom. Open ring is 7” across. // Use: Said to be for carrying a broody hen. After its appearance at the ‘Living Traditions’ Exhibition in Edinburgh in 1951 it swept the board & became the fashionable shopping basket. By ancient tradition, this basket held the two, or sometimes three, doves at the Presentation of the Infant Christ in the Temple.* // Dialect names: Ose // Distribution: European // Additional notes: *All the Dove Basket photos. // Notes from Farmer’s Weekly. B&B. page 132. // Difficult to make. Man had to be trained. // {Difficult to make D.W. [Dorothy Wright]}', British Council Ref. No. Not known.

Kilmuir [Skye, Island of]

1945 - 1960

Basket, bird, Basket, shopping

Highland Homes Industries (Corporate Body)
Wright, Dorothy (Recorder)