Nantucket Baskets

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  • William and J. Reis Nantucket Friendship Basket
    Estimate
    $1,500 - $2,200

    William and J. Reis Nantucket Friendship Basket

    Est.
    $1,500 - $2,200
    Rafael Osona Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $1,200
  • Antique Open Swing Handle Nantucket Basket
    Estimate
    $700 - $900

    Antique Open Swing Handle Nantucket Basket

    Est.
    $700 - $900
    Rafael Osona Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $400
  • Paul Willer Short Cylindrical Nantucket Basket
    Estimate
    $300 - $500

    Paul Willer Short Cylindrical Nantucket Basket

    Est.
    $300 - $500
    Rafael Osona Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $200
  • Pair of Paul Willer Cylindrical Nantucket Baskets
    Estimate
    $400 - $600

    Pair of Paul Willer Cylindrical Nantucket Baskets

    Est.
    $400 - $600
    Rafael Osona Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $250
  • Paul Willer Small Narrow Nantucket Bread Basket
    Estimate
    $300 - $400

    Paul Willer Small Narrow Nantucket Bread Basket

    Est.
    $300 - $400
    Rafael Osona Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $200
  • Paul Willer Cylindrical Covered Nantucket Basket with Cloth Liner
    Estimate
    $500 - $700

    Paul Willer Cylindrical Covered Nantucket Basket with C...

    Est.
    $500 - $700
    Rafael Osona Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $300
  • Susan Chase Ottison Oval Nantucket Basket with Loop Handles
    Estimate
    $250 - $350

    Susan Chase Ottison Oval Nantucket Basket with Loop Han...

    Est.
    $250 - $350
    Rafael Osona Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $200
  • Vintage Nantucket Basket Flower Vase Lamp
    Estimate
    $300 - $400

    Vintage Nantucket Basket Flower Vase Lamp

    Est.
    $300 - $400
    Rafael Osona Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $150
  • Vintage Brass Nantucket Basket Door Knocker
    Estimate
    $300 - $500

    Vintage Brass Nantucket Basket Door Knocker

    Est.
    $300 - $500
    Rafael Osona Auctions
    1 Bid
    Current Bid
    $150
  • Jose Formoso Reyes Nantucket Friendship Basket
    Estimate
    $2,500 - $3,500

    Jose Formoso Reyes Nantucket Friendship Basket

    Est.
    $2,500 - $3,500
    Rafael Osona Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $2,000
  • Allen Doucette Miniature Nantucket Basket Purse Pendant
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    Allen Doucette Miniature Nantucket Basket Purse Pendant...

    Est.
    $200 - $400
    Rafael Osona Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $200
  • Nest of Four Bill and Judy Sayle Round Swing Handle Nantucket Baskets
    Estimate
    $2,500 - $3,000

    Nest of Four Bill and Judy Sayle Round Swing Handle Nan...

    Est.
    $2,500 - $3,000
    Rafael Osona Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $2,000
  • Nest of Eleven Contemporary Nantucket Style Round Open Swing Handle Baskets
    Estimate
    $2,000 - $4,000

    Nest of Eleven Contemporary Nantucket Style Round Open ...

    Est.
    $2,000 - $4,000
    Rafael Osona Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $1,500
  • Contemporary Round Open Nantucket Basket with Unique Suede Weavings in the form of Whales, Waves and Clouds
    Estimate
    $300 - $500

    Contemporary Round Open Nantucket Basket with Unique Su...

    Est.
    $300 - $500
    Rafael Osona Auctions
    1 Bid
    Current Bid
    $200
  • Vintage Round Swing Handle Two-Egg Nantucket Basket
    Estimate
    $400 - $600

    Vintage Round Swing Handle Two-Egg Nantucket Basket

    Est.
    $400 - $600
    Rafael Osona Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $200
  • Antique Nantucket Swing Handle Basket, 19th Century
    Estimate
    $400 - $600

    Antique Nantucket Swing Handle Basket, 19th Century

    Est.
    $400 - $600
    Rafael Osona Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $200
  • Collection of Approximately Thirty-One Hand Made Nantucket Baskets in Various Forms and Makers
    Estimate
    $3,000 - $5,000

    Collection of Approximately Thirty-One Hand Made Nantuc...

    Est.
    $3,000 - $5,000
    Rafael Osona Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $2,500
  • Pair of Paul Willer Round Open Double Swing Handle Nantucket Baskets with Cobalt Glass Liners
    Estimate
    $500 - $700

    Pair of Paul Willer Round Open Double Swing Handle Nant...

    Est.
    $500 - $700
    Rafael Osona Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $400
  • Jose Formoso Reyes Square Open Nantucket Basket with Fabric Liner
    Estimate
    $800 - $1,200

    Jose Formoso Reyes Square Open Nantucket Basket with Fa...

    Est.
    $800 - $1,200
    Rafael Osona Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $700
  • Paul Willer Nantucket Bud Vase Basket with Glass Liner, circa 1982
    Estimate
    $250 - $350

    Paul Willer Nantucket Bud Vase Basket with Glass Liner,...

    Est.
    $250 - $350
    Rafael Osona Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $200
  • Oval Swing Handle Nantucket Basket Attributed to William Appleton, early 20th Century
    Estimate
    $1,000 - $1,500

    Oval Swing Handle Nantucket Basket Attributed to Willia...

    Est.
    $1,000 - $1,500
    Rafael Osona Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $800
  • "The Wooden Jug" Nantucket Friendship Basket by Bee and Helen, circa 1966
    Estimate
    $1,000 - $1,500

    "The Wooden Jug" Nantucket Friendship Basket by Bee and...

    Est.
    $1,000 - $1,500
    Rafael Osona Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $900
  • Diminutive Antique Nantucket Swing Handle Lightship Basket
    Estimate
    $600 - $800

    Diminutive Antique Nantucket Swing Handle Lightship Bas...

    Est.
    $600 - $800
    Rafael Osona Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $400
  • Arthur Martin Large Oval Open Swing Handle Nantucket Basket
    Estimate
    $600 - $800

    Arthur Martin Large Oval Open Swing Handle Nantucket Ba...

    Est.
    $600 - $800
    Rafael Osona Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $300
  • Mark A. Sutherland Miniature Scrimshaw Bone Ditty Box Purse, circa 2004
    Estimate
    $200 - $400

    Mark A. Sutherland Miniature Scrimshaw Bone Ditty Box P...

    Est.
    $200 - $400
    Rafael Osona Auctions
    0 Bids
    Starting Bid
    $200
  • NANTUCKET BASKET
    Estimate
    $100 - $150

    NANTUCKET BASKET

    Est.
    $100 - $150
  • Farnum Nantucket Basket
    Estimate
    $100 - $150

    Farnum Nantucket Basket

    Est.
    $100 - $150
  • Nantucket Baskets, Jack Nichols
    Estimate
    $100 - $10,000

    Nantucket Baskets, Jack Nichols

    Est.
    $100 - $10,000
  • VINTAGE NANTUCKET BASKET
    Estimate
    $400 - $600

    VINTAGE NANTUCKET BASKET

    Est.
    $400 - $600
  • NANTUCKET BASKET BOWL
    Estimate
    $350 - $450

    NANTUCKET BASKET BOWL

    Est.
    $350 - $450
  • ANTIQUE NANTUCKET BASKET
    Estimate
    $600 - $800

    ANTIQUE NANTUCKET BASKET

    Est.
    $600 - $800
  • F. SYLVARO NANTUCKET BASKET
    Estimate
    $750 - $1,000

    F. SYLVARO NANTUCKET BASKET

    Est.
    $750 - $1,000
  • HUGE NANTUCKET BASKET
    Estimate
    $900 - $1,200

    HUGE NANTUCKET BASKET

    Est.
    $900 - $1,200
  • ANTIQUE NANTUCKET BASKET
    Estimate
    $300 - $400

    ANTIQUE NANTUCKET BASKET

    Est.
    $300 - $400
  • LARGE DIAS NANTUCKET BASKET
    Estimate
    $700 - $900

    LARGE DIAS NANTUCKET BASKET

    Est.
    $700 - $900
  • NANTUCKET BASKET WITH DOLPHIN PLAQUE
    Estimate
    $400 - $600

    NANTUCKET BASKET WITH DOLPHIN PLAQUE

    Est.
    $400 - $600
  • John Elder Nantucket Friendship Basket
    Estimate
    $800 - $1,200

    John Elder Nantucket Friendship Basket

    Est.
    $800 - $1,200
  • Jose Formosa Reyes Nantucket Basket
    Estimate
    $450 - $800

    Jose Formosa Reyes Nantucket Basket

    Est.
    $450 - $800
  • Vintage One-Egg Nantucket Basket
    Estimate
    $300 - $400

    Vintage One-Egg Nantucket Basket

    Est.
    $300 - $400
  • Nantucket Oval Open Sewing Basket
    Estimate
    $400 - $600

    Nantucket Oval Open Sewing Basket

    Est.
    $400 - $600
  • Jose Reyes Nantucket Basket/Purse
    Estimate
    $400 - $800

    Jose Reyes Nantucket Basket/Purse

    Est.
    $400 - $800
  • Oval Shallow Nantucket Basket By Manny Dias
    Estimate
    $200 - $250

    Oval Shallow Nantucket Basket By Manny Dias

    Est.
    $200 - $250
  • Round Open Shallow Nantucket Basket
    Estimate
    $400 - $600

    Round Open Shallow Nantucket Basket

    Est.
    $400 - $600
  • Miniature Nantucket Friendship Basket
    Estimate
    $400 - $600

    Miniature Nantucket Friendship Basket

    Est.
    $400 - $600
  • Miniature Round Covered Nantucket Basket
    Estimate
    $250 - $350

    Miniature Round Covered Nantucket Basket

    Est.
    $250 - $350
  • Nest of Four Mitchell Ray Nantucket Baskets
    Estimate
    $1,500 - $2,500

    Nest of Four Mitchell Ray Nantucket Baskets

    Est.
    $1,500 - $2,500
  • Nest of Four Mitchell Ray Nantucket Baskets
    Estimate
    $4,000 - $6,000

    Nest of Four Mitchell Ray Nantucket Baskets

    Est.
    $4,000 - $6,000
  • Stanley Roop Nantucket Friendship Basket
    Estimate
    $2,500 - $3,500

    Stanley Roop Nantucket Friendship Basket

    Est.
    $2,500 - $3,500

The Nantucket basket and the Nantucket purse are the only basketry styles known to have been created exclusively in Nantucket. No other style of basketry can match the distinctive characteristics of these stunning baskets. The Nantucket lightship basket is often used as a handbag today, but its original purpose was strictly utilitarian, usually nesting together two or four at a time. The tops of early baskets were often left open with one or more handles. As far back as the 1940s, Nantucket baskets were a popular collectible accessory. Browse Bidsquare's largest collection of authentic antique and vintage Nantucket baskets, including rare and handwoven items.  

The rattan or cane baskets found on authentic baskets are made from wooden molds and are supported by solid wooden bases. In addition to providing structural support to the basket, the wooden base contributes to its durability and timeless appeal over generations. A covered friendship basket was designed by José Formoso Reyes at the end of the 1940s. An attractive hinged cover surrounded a plaque that was intended to serve as a purse.  This led to the creation of the Nantucket friendship basket, whose popularity has endured to this day. In the years following, artisans have elevated Nantucket baskets to a competitive level of sophistication. Friendship Baskets adorned with ivory whales, seagulls, and Nantucket maps, a once simple craft has evolved into a variety of styles, materials, designs, and purposes, taking an ordinary craft, and elevating it to a fine work of art.

The earliest Nantucket baskets were woven out of wood splints and secured underneath with pine boards. Basketmaking evolved into an art form aboard the Nantucket lightships during the 1860s. An emblem and a symbol of Nantucket Island, the Nantucket basket and purse became synonymous with the island. A floating lighthouse was a popular spot for the craft in the mid-19th century, so they became known as Lightship Baskets.  An oval-handled basket was made into a purse in the middle of the twentieth century through the addition of a lid, hence the name Nantucket friendship basket.  In today's weaving industry, tradition is combined with modern needs and aesthetics.  

There is a continuing demand for these baskets that are both useful and collectible as well as a valuable investment. The worth of a beautifully crafted Nantucket basket and Nantucket purse inevitably increases. Family heirlooms, such as Nantucket baskets and Nantucket purses, are passed down through generations. In Nantucket, both locals and visitors coveted Nantucket lightship purses as fashion accessories. Today, these baskets can be quite valuable if they are from the original period. Nantucket basket weavers are not restricted to weaving on the island. Craftsmen are today making Nantucket baskets across the country, even in space. Dan Bursch, an astronaut on the International Space Station, crafted a miniature Nantucket basket in his spare time.

Nantucket Baskets for Auction

Bidsquare online auctions offers a wide range of antique, vintage, and modern Nantucket baskets.  With baskets created by some of the best weavers past and present, our collection of baskets is a fine representation of the art of weaving. 

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