60/714

Finch and Sons Ltd. (Manufacturer)

This hamper, which is either a picnic basket or luggage basket, was made by Finch & Son Ltd. of Gloucester circa 1945–60, and is part of a large collection of traditional craft products acquired from the British Council in 1960. It is a rectangular basket with a hinged lid secured by two straps, two loop handles, and a removable tray.

1 basket: willow

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 – ‘This basket which was made by Finch & Son Limited of Gloucester has a hinged lid and removable tray. It is 32 in. long, 15 in. wide and 12 in. deep. The tray which fits into the top is 3 1/2 in. deep. Both the tray and the basket itself have loop handles at the ends, the one inside, the other outside. The lid which turns back on three cane hinges is secured by two straps which pass round the outer frame exposed in the lid by gaps in the weaving of the willow. Miss Rose, of the British Council, notes that this probably a picnic basket.’, MERL 'Catalogue of baskets' form – 'NAME: Basket (HAMPER) // Acc. No.: 60/714 // Group: CRAFTS Wood Baskets // Neg. no.: 60/9028 // Place of origin: Gloucester. // Period in use: Pre-1945 // DESCRIPTION // Materials: Buff willow. Cane // Maker: Finch & Sons Ltd, Gloucester. // Shape and construction: Rectangular. Straight sides. Cover. Drop-in tray. Small roped handle either end. Fastening 2 straps. BS. [number of bottom sticks] 8. Sts. [number of stakes] 22.10. C.St. [corner sticks] 4. Tray: BS. [number of bottom sticks] 7. St. [number of stakes] 25.12. Upsett: 4 rounds. Mid. Randed. 2 top wales. Border: 3 beh. [behind] 1. Tray: 2 rounds upsett. Randed. 1 top wale. Trac border. // Dimensions: W.B. [width bottom] 14” L.B. [length bottom] 30” D. [depth] 11” Tray: W.B. [width bottom] 12 1/2” LB. [length bottom] 28 1/2” D. [depth] 3 1/2”. // Use: Uncertain. Picnic or as luggage? // Dialect names: // Distribution: // Additional notes:’, British Council Ref. No. Not known.

Gloucester

1945 - 1960

Basket, picnic, Basket, luggage