DRAMATIC FORM
Early Melon-Shaped Painted Woodsplint Basket    

Probably New England, ca. 1830-1850, in rich original green paint and over-varnish.

From an accomplished maker with strong basketmaking skills and an equally artful eye, this basket has an especially bold and exciting sweeping-upward form, superior to most baskets one will see. Excellent condition.

About 13 inches to the top of the fixed handle, 9 to the rim, and about 15 inches longest side of the base. See David Schorsch "American Baskets, A Folk Art Tradition", figure 21 for a similar example. Provenance includes years ago Ted and Carole Hayward (Yankee Smuggler Antiques).