Nantucket Lightship Picnic Basket

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Beautiful Nantucket Lightship

Picnic Basket

Beautiful Nantucket Lightship
Picnic Basket

Dimensions: Ht 8 ½”              Width 13 ½”            Depth 11”

 

Presented is a handsomely constructed.Nantucket Lightship Basket large enough to accommodate a picnic outing  We acquired these baskets some time ago, and recently discovered them in our warehouse.  They are contemporarily made, although we’ve had them for at least 10 years.  We have different sizes and shapes, and will be getting all of these up on the website in the coming weeks.

Beautiful Nantucket Lightship
Picnic Basket

Nantucket Lightship Picnic Basket

The execution of these fine pieces is exemplary.   They’ve used beautifully  grained both dark and light woods, and richly colored cane.  The engraved scenes on the tops and sometimes the sides of the baskets of sailing ships, whales, etc.  are beautifully done.  We’ve noticed that these fine baskets are used as decorative decor as often as for the utilitarian purpose of carrying personal belongings.  And they make memorable and much appreciated gifts. 

 

Top Engraving – Lighthouse and Clipper Ship                                                             Bottom inside of Basket

 

History of Nantucket Lightship Baskets

In the mid 1800s, the state of  Massachusetts commissioned lightships, staffed with approximately 10 men, to provide light to passing ships in the heavily trafficked waters around the dangerous shoals to the south of Nantucket.  The lightships, acting as floating lighthouses, were positioned to warn of the dangers and to prevent disastrous shipwrecks.  With little to do during the day, the crew turned to weaving rattan baskets to pass the time on board.  The wooden bases of the baskets were prepared ashore, while the weaving and assembly took place on the lightship.  The original concept for the baskets design was thought “be have been cultivated aboard whaling ships of the time”.

 

The three significant elements found in the construction of the Nantucket lightship baskets are:

  • 1) The basket is woven on a mold, 2) the weaver uses rattan also known as cane, 3) The basket has a solid wood base.  

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Shipping & Packaging

The cost of shipping, packing, handling, and insurance to your destination, will be calculated point to point and is an additional charge. You may email us to get these costs. We price our shipping honestly, but we expect to be reimbursed for the nominal cost of packaging materials and handling.

Our Unconditional 'No Nonsense' Guarantee

If not completely satisfied with your purchase it may be returned, if without damage, within three days of receipt in its original packaging. Return items must be insured for their full value. Only a prior email authorization by us for the return is required. Shipping charges are refundable if due to our error within the continental United States.

International buyers welcome, but inquire first. We have satisfied customers worldwide.

Standard Forms of Payment

Bank wire transfer, cashier’s check, money order, or personal check in which case the item will be held until cleared. Our prices are quoted net to us so that the use of credit cards or PayPal incur extra charges. Terms on overseas sales are different.

Established in 2003

Celebrating 18 Years of Exellence in Nautical Antiques

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