68/318

This willow basket was used by the donor’s mother for picking flowers and fruit. It is oval in shape, with a twisted willow handle going from side to side. The design is French, where it is known as a ‘pannier oval a jour’ and was available in several sizes.

1 basket: willow; very fragile

A letter from the donor to Andrew Jewell, dated 14 September 1966, gives more detail about who made the basket but it is unfortunately quite unclear., MERL 'Catalogue of baskets' form – 'NAME: BASKET flower & fruit // Acc. No.: 68/318 // Group: GARDENS Tools // Neg. no.: 60/8675 // Place of origin: Berkshire // Period in use: Early 20th C. // DESCRIPTION // Materials: Willow. // Shape and construction: Oval. Bottom 5 slats willow 3/4” wide paired together in 3 places. A hoop round these with 87 st. [stakes] scallomed to it. 2 fitches. 1 top wale. Border 6 beh. [behind] 2. 1 bow twisted willow handle side to side // Dimensions: WB. [width of bottom] 5 1/2” LB. [length of bottom] 10” D. [depth] 5” WT. [width of top] 7” LT. [length of top] 12” // Use: For picking flowers, fruit etc. by donor’s mother. // Dialect names: Pannier oval a jour [several sizes available] FRENCH // Distribution: // Additional notes: Ref. Complete Book of Baskets & Basketry by Dorothy Wright [Wright, Dorothy, ‘The Complete Book of Baskets and Basketry’. Scribner, 1977] p.58.'

Basket, flower, Basket, fruit

Wright, Dorothy (Recorder)