Posted 8 years ago
SpiritBear
(813 items)
In a thrift store I frequent (as it's near three others), I was quickly walking through the household plastic & clocks (because somehow household plastic goes better with clocks than with household porcelain and metal-ware?) which has a little end of baskets.
I never look at the baskets. Everything is the cheap Easter and decor stuff. This, though, somehow caught my eye.
I stopped, picked it up, looked it over and kept walking.
I think the design on the lid is supposed to be a representation of something. It's poorly painted. There is a deteriorating brass band around the lid.
The basket, to form a lip, curves inward to hold the lid. The creator used several sizes of material (I'm not sure what to call it as I don't do baskets) in his/her creation.
I thought it may be a vintage souvenir made by some "Indian" (be it Native American or indigenous African, as I know their baskets are popular too).
Ideas on where it came from?
It looks like it was made in China, maybe 1950's or earlier to me. Is it bamboo?
Here's one very close:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Basket-Painted-Cover-Handle-tribal-asian-oriental-child-size-Victorian-/371840600180
I'm not really sure how to ID bamboo. Most of the "lucky bamboo" and such sold in stores is actually a type of reed plant (which also happens to be somewhat toxic, so don't eat it). It is too cold here for it to grow.
this was probably sold as a sewing basket, don't you think?
I'm using it for my watches, necklace, and keys.