Nantucket Basket Signed "William and Judy Sayle 1978"
InformationVintage Nantucket Purse with engraved at the bottom of the maple base "W & J Sayle 1978". The basket has a fine grain walnut top with a carved sperm whale applied to the wood top. Set into the upper left corner of the inside of the maple base is a penny dated the year the basket was made (1978). The basket has oak rims on the top and basket base. The basket base has oak ribs and rattan weave. The swing oak handle is the most finely made with wonderful curves in as the tapers and attaches on both sides to the lower oak rim. The handle attaches to the basket with turned ivory knobs and washers with metal 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 are a pair of leather cane wrapped loops which act like a pair of rear hinges. (FA1213)
Condition: The basket is in excellent condition and has a mellow patina.
Dimensions: Width of rim 8 1/2 Inches, Width of ivory side knobs 9 ½ Inches, Height to top of basket 6 ¾ Inches, Height from bottom to top of handle 11 1/2 Inches.
About the makers: Bill and Judy Sayle’s work represents both past and present traditions found in Nantucket baskets of today. The Sayle family has been involved in the ivory carving and basket arts since 1948 when Charles Sayle Sr. first started carving ivory figures for the tops of Friendship Purses by Jose Formoso Reyes, the originator of the Nantucket basket purse. Beginning in 1973, Bill and Judy have been weaving baskets and carving ivory and whalebone in the traditional Nantucket style. All aspects of each of their finished products are their own: from crafting the molds and weaving with the highest quality of materials to carving their own basket embellishments as well as more specialized whale boards and larger stand-alone pieces. The Sayle name is highly recognized within the decorative arts community of Nantucket and they are widely considered one of the top producers, making each of their one of a kind items a true collector’s piece.
1978
