A-tisket a-tasket

A green and yellow basket

Well, actually, more a little wooden box, but it is about the size of a basket. I have often looked at this piece and admired it. Made of softwood, it is very light, and with the removable handled top it would be ideal for storing many things but particularly something you might want to take along with you. Perhaps it was used for picnics, or to carry light tools or take along toys or crafts for the children when you went out. The top is held in place by one of the protruding wooden pieces that rotates to allow the top to slide out of the slot around the piece at the opposite end (took me a while to figure out how to get it open!). Both the box and the cover are decorated with punched designs of fans and zig-zags. It is one of the pieces in our collection for which we have no history, having been catalogued in 1975 as being of unknown source. If anyone should have information on it we would love to know more.

TIP OF THE HAT TO YOU

We have some amazing textiles at the Museum. At the moment only a few are on display, such as this amazing black and gold beaded cape. It is designed in a three layer arrangement from the neck down, each having its own beaded border and tied at the neck with ribbon and two hooks. Beside it is a top hat, plus the hat box in which it would have been stored. During the 19th century the top hat became symbolic of urban respectability and was widely adopted when Prince Albert began wearing them in 1850. 

It is easy to forget that in earlier times there was considerable wealth in Kings County and such lovely items were worn by local ladies and gentleman during the 19th and early 20th century.

SPOILER ALERT: Next season we hope to exhibit a wider selection from our textile collection.