I have seen (and bought and sold) exactly one other basketry covered carved barrel of this sort, that one dated 1922 and from Maine. This one I found in PA, but I might bet it was made by the same person, or some small community of individuals--such a curious hybrid, and so particular, with the basketry seeming Native American, I'd speculate Mi'kmaq, and the rest very naive American folk/tramp art.
The basketry on that one was somewhat more elaborate, but it too had a drawer extending deep inside of it, and relief carving on the opposite end. The drawer here is made of cigar box wood, for "War Eagle" cigars to be exact. It is missing its pull, but is easy to pull out by the edges, and there is a small nail hole where a pull could be added. I especially love the relief carved urn of flowers on the opposite end myself, so would be inclined to display it that side up, with the drawer a secret hiding spot!
6 1/8" t x approx 5 3/4" widest. Carved ends of barrel (top and bottom) 3 13/16" d. The pull to the drawer is missing, as evident, and there is some irregularity to the curlique patterned weaving on the basket, probably with a bit of loss on one side, but it is quite stable and sound with no loose ends or bits.
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