Product Description
Hand-woven Nantucket lightship baskets by Joan Pinney
Each Joan Pinney Nantucket lightship basket is hand-woven by Joan Pinney in the island tradition: a wooden bottom, cane tightly woven over a mold, and fine wood and ivory details. Styles include sewing kits, shoulder bags, a biscotti bag, pocketbooks, an opera tote, and oval baskets with wood tops.
Nantucket baskets began in the 1800s aboard the lightships stationed off the island, where crews wove baskets to pass long months at sea. In the late 1940s, lids decorated with carved ivory or scrimshaw were added, and the baskets became prized collectibles. Legend holds that tossing a coin overboard when passing the lighthouse leaving Nantucket harbor promises a safe voyage and return.
Available Styles
- 11" Sewing Kit
- 5 1/2" Sewing Kit
- Biscotti Bag
- Small Shoulder Bag
- 3x4 Shoulder Bag
- 7" Pocketbook in Ebony
- 6" Opera Tote with Teak Top
- Medium Oval with Cherry Top
- Medium Oval with Black Walnut Top
Features
- Hand-woven by Joan Pinney
- Traditional wooden bottom and mold-woven cane
- Rattan and fine wood details
- Antique ivory hinges
- Nine styles, from sewing kits to pocketbooks
Specifications
- Artisan: Joan Pinney
- Material: Rattan and cane, wood (ebony, teak, cherry, black walnut), antique ivory hinges
- Construction: Woven over a mold on a wooden base
- Intended use: Carry, display, collection, heirloom
Care Instructions
Keep baskets dry and out of direct sun. Dust with a soft brush, and avoid oils or cleaners on the weave.
FAQ
Who weaves these baskets?
Each is hand-woven by Joan Pinney.
What makes a basket a Nantucket lightship basket?
A wooden bottom and tightly woven cane over a mold, a tradition begun on the island's lightships.
What comes in the sewing kits?
The sewing kits are fitted with small containers and tools, as shown in the photos.
A Nantucket lightship basket woven by hand, carrying an island tradition forward.
Made to Order
Most pieces are in stock and ship right away. Items requiring engraving or finishing are completed within a few days, prepared with the same care and craftsmanship Scrimshanders is known for.