Where to Buy Baskets

Girl Shelling Peas, 1797

LWL 787.08.09.01

(I am totally in love with her spotted gown!)

Whenever I attend an event, I'm always dragging more than I can reasonably carry. So I'm always hunting for good / sturdy / transportable period-appropriate baskets. While there are wonderful sutlers who recreate them, their price point tends to be more than I can justify spending. And the few repro baskets I've bought that are affordable are far from sturdy.

So where can we find decent baskets that won't break the bank? Below I have matched the appearance of several modern baskets to 18th century prints.

Buy a Fine Table Basket

LWL 733.0.25

There are lots of baskets in this print! I can't find a circa date but am guessing that it's earlier in the 18th century, which seems reasonable to use something similar for reenacting purposes.

Ten Thousand Villages sells this $10 Oval Date Palm Basket, which looks similar to the basket above the woman's left hand. But the primary source example only has one handle.

This Fruit Basket by Joanna's Collections ($36, in the solid color) looks similar to the one the woman carries under her right arm.

Irish Peg in a Rage, 1773

LWL 733.05.29.01+

For a splurge, there's this Bushel Basket from English Basketry Willows for $150--which is a close match to the basket in the print above.

Ten Thousand Villages sells this Laundry Basket for $39. If you remove the lining, it's relatively similar to the one in the print.  

The Jealous Maids, 1772

LWL 772.03.02.03+

Though this basket isn't as deep as the one in the print, The Jealous Maids, I'm fond of this Round Storage Basket from Joanna's Collections ($60).

There's also this Apple Basket by Amish Wares ($48) which is closer in shape to the basket in The Jealous Maids.

A Ladies Maid Purchasing a Leek, 1772

LWL 772.03.01.01.2

A giant basket like this 1772 print would be great for hauling lots of stuff, especially if you have a van or SUV. I found two similar options...

Joanna's Collections makes this beautiful Toy Basket for $76. (I'm not sure that the color difference between the rim/handles and its base is period correct.) 

For nearly half the price the Container Store sells a Round Date Leaf Basket ($39.99). Given that the other examples all have attached handles and not open handles like this one, this might not work for the authenticity stickler. However this basket offers the best value relative to the large amount that can transport for this price point. Over investing in something that will be outdoors at events and could get wet / ruined, might be worth disguising the top with a blanket or cloak.

Rural Life, 1783

LWL 783.02.24.03

Lastly there's the basket that's sold everywhere--especially at Easter. One version I really like is this Williamsburg Market Basket from Joanna's Collections for $42.

MISCELLANEOUS BASKETS

While I don't have Rev War-era primary sources for the following baskets, here are a few other options that I think would work...

This French Market Basket is similar to one that I have (which I blogged about in August). It's an affordable price ($40) for a big basket that's easily transportable at events.

Soaringspiral Designs on Etsy sells lots of beautiful baskets, like this Medium Storage Basket for $42.

And then there's the super splurge basket from English Basketry Willows; they sell this Laundry Basket for $175!

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Naturally these are just a few of the many options available...there are oodles more vendors to shop from and period prints to match them to. If you find sources for well priced period-appropriate baskets, I would love to hear about them!