Basket

Object Name:

Basket

Object ID:

1994.044

Creator:

Washburn, Newt (1915-2011)Basketmaker

Place of Origin:

Bethlehem, NH

Date:

1993

Description:

Basket, woven splint, for carrying women's aprons to work, brown ash. Rectangular bottom, oblong (rounded corners at rim). One handle of bent ash, notched at ends to fit into rim. Signed (woodburned) on bottom, "NEWT / WASHBURN".

Material:

Wood
Ash

Dimensions:

H-6 W-14.5 D-9 inches

Provenance:

Newton Washburn (1915-2011) was descended from the Sweetser family of Vermont, which was known for making brown ash splint baskets since at least 1850. Newt started making baskets in the same tradition in 1923 and continued until the late 1940s, then ran an auto body shop in Bethlehem until the 1970s. He resumed basket making in 1975 and had continued on a full-time basis until his death. He was awarded a National Heritage Fellowship from the NEA in 1987.

An exhibit of Sweetser and Washburn baskets was organized by the Vermont Folklore Center and travelled to NHHS, 09/24/1994 - 01/25/1995. This basket was in that exhibit.

Credit Line:

Gift of Newt Washburn

People:

Washburn, Newton (1915-2011)

Subjects:

Baskets