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I’ve always held a soft spot for these beautiful baskets, also known as a Fisherman's Creel and was lucky enough to obtain one a couple of years ago in Northumberland.
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Having aged to a beautiful golden honey colour, this basket is made of white willow that has been skeined (made into narrow ribbons). Each skein is turned as it is woven so that only the outer surface of the willow ribbon is on show.
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It takes an immense amount of skill, time and I reckon patience to be able to create such a basket.
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Now often found in Antiques shops, it is thought that most of these baskets are Victorian in age and were probably made in France. The lid has an oblong hole through which fish could be put in, (although I’ve often wondered at the small sizes of these holes compared to the size of a decent brown trout!)
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My basket is 15” length, 8” width & 11” wide and missing it’s original catch and leather strap.
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A similar basket to this one can be found in the Museum of Rural Life collection. Object number: 65/26.
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I’d always been drawn to this basket's rather sculptural pouch shape and the fine ripple like movement of it’s weave. However it was from the first moment that I ever held a lovely example of this basket, with its ever so tactile nature, that I dreamt of one day being able to look after one. I now occasionally use this basket to carry not fish but important bits and pieces in my campervan!
I’ve always held a soft spot for these beautiful baskets, also known as a Fisherman's Creel and was lucky enough to obtain one a couple of years ago in Northumberland.
Having aged to a beautiful golden honey colour, this basket is made of white willow that has been skeined (made into narrow ribbons). Each skein is turned as it is woven so that only the outer surface of the willow ribbon is on show.
It takes an immense amount of skill, time and I reckon patience to be able to create such a basket.
Now often found in Antiques shops, it is thought that most of these baskets are Victorian in age and were probably made in France. The lid has an oblong hole through which fish could be put in, (although I’ve often wondered at the small sizes of these holes compared to the size of a decent brown trout!)
My basket is 15” length, 8” width & 11” wide and missing it’s original catch and leather strap.
A similar basket to this one can be found in the Museum of Rural Life collection. Object number: 65/26.
I’d always been drawn to this basket's rather sculptural pouch shape and the fine ripple like movement of it’s weave. However it was from the first moment that I ever held a lovely example of this basket, with its ever so tactile nature, that I dreamt of one day being able to look after one. I now occasionally use this basket to carry not fish but important bits and pieces in my campervan!