Nest of seven Nantucket baskets, each one bearing a label which states: "Made By Ferdinand Sylvaro 97 Orange St. Nantucket Mass.", circa 1925. The nest is beautifully crafted. The baskets fit nicely one inside the other with a relatively even rim height and a relatively nice relationship with the handles in a down and up position. Each basket has a carved oak handle with metal ears, oak rim, oak ribs, maple base and rattan weave. Each basket is very strong and is well made. In addition to each basket having a label, there is a set of initials: "E.L.R." burnt into the base of each which most likely are the initials of the owner. One of Sylvaro's trademarks was to incise three narrow equally spaced circles in the base. The larger of the two baskets follow this pattern, however, the next smaller three baskets are incised with two circles and the smallest two baskets have a single incised circle. (B-70)
Condition: The baskets have a nice, warm, honey color patina. There are a few tiny losses in the rattan weave, however, we have never examined a nest in a finer original state. A clear tape has been applied over the labels to protect the labels from wear. Typically, the most worn of the labels is the bottom label.
Reference: Seeler, Katherine and Edgar, "Nantucket Lightship Baskets", Nantucket, Mass., The Deermouse Press, 1972, pp. 108, 127. Ferdinand Sylvaro was born in Nantucket in 1869. He was a painter and basket maker. His father was from the Azores and he lived at 97 Orange St. until his death at age 83.
Height dimensions of baskets: 4, 4 1/2, 5 3/8, 6, 6 1/2, 7 5/8, and 8 inches. Diameter dimensions of baskets: 5 3/4, 6 5/8, 7 7/8, 8 7/8, 10, 11 7/8, and 13 inches.
As far as Sylvaro's go, this nest is an A.
Note: Sylvaro, ended up with Davis Hall's molds, that is why he continued with the two circular rings to pay homage to Hall. (B 0070)
