Miniature Nantucket Basket with Ivory Top by Terry Silvia. The basket has a polychrome scrimshaw image of "Brant Point" Lighthouse in Nantucket Harbor.
InformationSmall Vintage Nantucket Purse the signature carved on to the Bottom of the maple base is the maker signature “Terry Silvia 2002 Nantucket #1”. The basket has an ivory oval plaque set into a mahogany oval frame which is the top lid. The ivory top has a fine polychrome scrimshaw engraving of the Nantucket lighthouse “Brant Point”. The ivory is signed by the scrimshander “C. Conner 02”. The basket has oak rims on the top and basket base. The basket has oak ribs and rattan weave. The swing oak handle has a nicely curved edge at the corners and attaches on both sides to the lower oak rim. The handle attaches to the basket with ivory knobs turned and washers with brass hardware. At the front of the basket attached to the front of the top rim is an ivory hasp which which slides into an ivory fitting attached below the rim. The lid locks by placing the small turned ivory fid into a hole in the ivory fitting. Mounted to the top and bottom on the back of the basket is a pair of small ivory and metal hinges.
Condition: The basket is in excellent condition and has a mellow patina. (FA1201)
Dimensions: Width of rim 4 1/2 Inches, Width of ivory side knobs 5 1/2 Inches, Height to top of basket 3 1/4 Inches, Height from bottom to top of handle 6 Inches.
About the maker: Terry Sylvia began making Nantucket Lightship baskets in 1974 with a class at the NAA. She honed her basket making skills and with the help of her husband antique dealer Frank Sylvia Jr., displayed and sold her basket in his shop located in the historic downtown. Terry taught basket making classes for over 16 years at her home studio and did demonstrations on cruise ships visiting Nantucket.
