Nantucket Purse stamped by the maker Sherman Boyer branded on the reverse with makers name. The basket has an oval shape with a conforming top with an applied tortoise carving of a pig.
InformationVintage Nantucket Purse the signature stamped on to the Bottom of the mahogany base is “Boyer’s” Logo and at the center of the bottom is an old, faded Boyer label. The is a past owners label which states “Hoffman and Giampietro Collection”. The basket has a walnut oval plaque mounted to the top of the lid and there is a rarely seen tortoise shell carving of a pig. This is the only lightship basket top decoration made from tortoise. 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 is a wrapped leather top loop which fits into a second wrapped loop which is attached to the bottom rim. The lid locks by placing the small turned ivory fid on a woven safety cord through the loops. Mounted to the top and bottom on the back of the basket is a pair of leather cane wrapped loops which act like a pair of rear hinges.
Condition: The basket is in excellent condition and has a deep mellow patina. (FA1204)
Dimensions: Width of rim 9 Inches, Width of ivory side knobs 10 1/2 Inches, Height to top of basket 8 Inches, Height from bottom to top of handle 13 Inches.
Sherwin Boyer (1907-1964) was a significant first-generation Nantucket basket maker, working in the "purse" era (late 1940s-1964) alongside legends like Jose Reyes, known for his durable oak-stave baskets with carved oak handles and distinctive double-stamped "BOYER" signature and poetic paper label. A true craftsman ("maker"), Boyer created all parts of his baskets from molds to staves, leaving a legacy of high-quality, collectible pieces, including his famous "one egg" size, that are prized for their craftsmanship and history.
