F.Y.I.

Nantucket basketmaking declined by the 1930's, but was revived in the late1940's when Jose Reyes added a woven lid and called his purse a "Friendship Basket". Reyes, who was born in the Philippines, learned to weave as a child. He came to the United States before World War II, and was educated at Reed College in Oregon and later at Harvard. When he was unable to find a teaching position after WWII, he moved to Nantucket with his wife who had summered there for many years.

Needing a way to support his family, he turned to the craft of his childhood. When he was unsuccessful at selling the open style, he added a woven lid and placed a carved ebony whale on the top plate of his first purse. Soon he was finding it difficult to keep up with the orders. Prices for his purses went from $100 in the '60s to $300 in the '70s. Reyes died in 1980.

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Nantucket Mini Kidney Purse

Octagon Purse

The Octagon Purse measures 7 1/2" x 6" x 6". Ribs and weavers are of cane, and the lid and base are cherry. Lid ornamentation is additional. (Purse in photo shows zebrawood with ivory decoration.) Exotic hardwoods are available but at an extra cost.

Ordering Information
If you would like to order, please e-mail for instructions. VISA, MC, Discover, money orders, or personal checks are accepted.

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