Soulful Swing-Handle Woodsplint Painted Basket.
Noted maker Henry Harris .....SOLD

Litchfield County, CT, ca. 1870-1890. Original dry “mushroom-color” paint on oak splint, with white-oak carved handle. Robustly made, like a piece of furniture, this special basket has rare characteristics associated with noted maker Henry Harris (aka Hen Pan, 1817/1821-1897) of chip-carving to the end of the handle and the block below, and a “sunflower” radiating geometric under the base. Harris was a member of the Schaghticoke tribe working in Northwestern, CT. His work is so accomplished that it has been suggested that he learned basket-making from the Shakers. Superb condition. Height at the rim is about 8 5/8 inches. Diameter 13 ¾. References for Harris include: “American Baskets – A Folk Art Tradition”, Schorsch, item 38; "Expressions of Innocence and Eloquence, Selections from the Jane Katcher Collection of Americana" pp. 200-201, 372, no. 123. Provenance: Private New England collection.