Early Child's Woven Wicker Swing Handle Basket w/ Belt Loops

It is a petite approximately 7-1/2 inches wide, 5 inches tall at the front and only about 4 inches deep. We have shown it in one picture stood beside a standard 12-ounce can of soda.

Woven of wicker, the basket has a carefully whittled, notched twig closure that slides to fasten the lid shut (and is still in perfect working condition). The swing handle is wrapped in slender caning (sorry, I do not know the terminology) and the two "hinges" on the top in the back are made of the same material. The handle is cleverly attached with loops around ribs that run across the top for strength.

There are a few small traces of old orange paint (trim?) in a few places here and there -- a perfect color for an active child! but the wicker was never painted.

This basket is sound, solid and sturdy. It is square, as made, and has not warped or twisted. All of the weaving is tight with ends tucked back in.

IMPORTANT -- There are two very minor concerns that are not immediately apparent: SEE OUR PHOTO WITH THE ARROWS - We found issues on the BACK - which DO NOT show from the front: The left cane wrap "hinge" has been replaced (the right one matches the handle wrap, the left is newer but still old caning); The end of the rib that should come out beside the hinge and loop around the frame is missing, but the broken end does not show (we could not get a second green arrow into the photo for this); and On the right side, One of the inner ribs across the lid is missing (the broken ends show) where it should loop around the curved wooden lid frame.

I wish we could have some provenance on this basket. I can imagine it belonging to a little boy, traveling to a one-room school, perhaps carrying a sandwich and an apple -- and then, headed home after school, it may have been the perfect place to stash a frog he caught along the way!

Item ID: 111