Full description

A small oval willow basket hand-woven from steamed black maul willow from Somerset, perfectly complemented by quality red English leather handles handmade by my friend Becs Ball from Bosorne Leatherwork.

Base 22x17; Top 18.5x14; Basket Height 16; Height to top of handles 29.

The heritage craft of willow weaving was waning in this country, but with current green living practices - willow-work fits in perfectly as a renewable and sustainable product which will last for many years and will ultimately biodegrade back into the earth.

Basketmaking is considered to be one of the oldest traditional crafts in the world, pre-dating pottery - found in one form or another in almost every country in the world. Baskets were essential for storing and transporting things and in fishing and agriculture - fish traps, crab pots and harvesting baskets. Every village or district would have had its own basketmaker - the last few surviving traditional crab-pot makers are hanging on to an ancient but declining skill.

It is a beautiful craft - completely absorbing - addictive as my students would say. I love every aspect of it and am constantly challenged by new designs and patterns.

So much can be created from a simple stick of willow.

The price includes P&P - if you wish to purchase more than one item from our shop, please contact us prior to placing your order so we can recalculate the P&P costs.

Thank you for visiting our shop

Anne and Alan