Purchased from a dealer in New Hampshire, I thought this basket was so intriguing for its combination of elements, including the use of antique red and indigo calicos for the edging, and a lining made from (a very patriotically themed) American Flaked Oat Groats sack, while hide was used to line the top flap. Once home I did an image search and turned up one very relevant reference--a photo of a very very similar basket that accompanied a "Find a Grave" record of a Samaria Emmazetta McPeak Midkiff (1874-1975), a Cherokee woman, with a note that the basket was made by Samaria as a young girl and handed down in the family. (Looking at Cherokee baskets, the style of weaving, and material--river cane I believe--is consistent, though here with this wonderful incorporation of other scrap materials making it a very hybrid thing.) I do believe mid 1880s or so, with the Groats package exactly consistent with that. Not a fancy thing, but to my sensibilities a very tender and special one, and I don't think we'll come across another like it any time soon.
6 7/8" w x 4" d x 4 5/8" t. Aging to the cane but overall good antique condition, sturdy and sound, not at all fragile.
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