Select a Gallery:

Sylvia Antiques & Four Winds Craft Guild - 15 Main Street and 6 Ray's Court - Nantucket, MA 02554 - 508 228 9623
Sylvia Antiques 15 Main St Nantucket, Massachusetts, 02554

Sylvia Antiques
Sylvia Antiques

Antique Nantucket Lightship Baskets
(Gallery updated 02/10/13)

As a third generation antiques dealer on the Island I have always been surrounded by Nantucket lightship baskets. Growing up they seemed ordinary and functional, a pocketbook or a magazine holder. I didn’t realize the collecting aspect or the charm of these baskets until I saw one off the island, where a woman in line at a store was asked about her purse, and she responded by saying, “I bought it on Nantucket, and it’s the only place where they make them.” From then on I saw this formerly ordinary, functional item differently.

This also opened my eyes up to the folk art world in general. I scoured other shops and auctions for baskets, eventually coveting the baskets actually made aboard the Lightships. I learned why they only got better with age and noticed their forms and unlimited uses; to hold vegetables in the cold cellar, for berry picking in the fall, for carrying food to a neighbor, and of course for the necessary sewing and mending.

We usually have roughly two dozen antique Nantucket lightship baskets in stock, made by legendary Nantucket weavers including Roland Folger, Davis Hall, Andrew Sandsbury, Oliver Coffin, William Appleton, A. D. Williams, Capt. Charles B. Ray, Mitchy Ray, Albert Hussey and James Wyer, to name just a few.

You can also browse our gallery of vintage Nantucket friendship purses here.

Wikipedia has an informative article about Nantucket Lightship Baskets.

For more information about any item, please email us.
Some of the antique Nantucket lightship baskets currently in our inventory:

Rare Nantucket Lightship Basket
Attributed to Captain Andrew Sandsbury (1830-1902)

Rare Nantucket Lightship Basket Attributed to Captain Andrew Sandsbury (1830-1902) This basket is inscribed "Made on Nantucket South Shoals Lightship 50 Years ago - Presented to Mary Bowitch Forbes by James H Woods of Nantucket in 1930." James H. Woods (1846-1943) Was Nantucket's most decorated war veteran. Not only was he Nantucket's last surviving Civil War veteran, but one of the last in New England, and was one of the few servicemen to have served in both the army and the Navy. He is best known for shaking Abraham Lincoln's hand after the war. Mary Bowditch Forbes (1882-1961) was the daughter of James Murray Forbes and Alice Bowditch Forbes. Her Siblings were Dorothy Murray Forbes and Allan Forbes. She was a horse and dog enthusiast, admirer of Abraham Lincoln, amateur poet, political conservative, anti-pacafist, and anti-suffrage lobbyist. She was single, resided in Milton, Mass., and summered at a family home in Dark Harbor, Islesboro, Maine, and sometimes at Nantucket. Captain Andrew Jackson Sandsbury (1830-1902) was part of three whaling voyages, the first aboard the "Sea Queen" as a boatsteerer, the second aboard "The Nautilus" as a 2nd mate, and the last on the "Spartan" He joined the crew of South Shoal Lightship in 1872 and in 1891 succeeded Thomas James as Captain. He left the South Shoal in 1892 to become the keeper at Brant Point Light, where he retired from that position in 1898Rare Nantucket Lightship Basket Attributed to Captain Andrew Sandsbury (1830-1902) This basket is inscribed "Made on Nantucket South Shoals Lightship 50 Years ago - Presented to Mary Bowitch Forbes by James H Woods of Nantucket in 1930." James H. Woods (1846-1943) Was Nantucket's most decorated war veteran. Not only was he Nantucket's last surviving Civil War veteran, but one of the last in New England, and was one of the few servicemen to have served in both the army and the Navy. He is best known for shaking Abraham Lincoln's hand after the war. Mary Bowditch Forbes (1882-1961) was the daughter of James Murray Forbes and Alice Bowditch Forbes. Her Siblings were Dorothy Murray Forbes and Allan Forbes. She was a horse and dog enthusiast, admirer of Abraham Lincoln, amateur poet, political conservative, anti-pacafist, and anti-suffrage lobbyist. She was single, resided in Milton, Mass., and summered at a family home in Dark Harbor, Islesboro, Maine, and sometimes at Nantucket. Captain Andrew Jackson Sandsbury (1830-1902) was part of three whaling voyages, the first aboard the "Sea Queen" as a boatsteerer, the second aboard "The Nautilus" as a 2nd mate, and the last on the "Spartan" He joined the crew of South Shoal Lightship in 1872 and in 1891 succeeded Thomas James as Captain. He left the South Shoal in 1892 to become the keeper at Brant Point Light, where he retired from that position in 1898
Rare Nantucket Lightship Basket Attributed to Captain Andrew Sandsbury (1830-1902) This basket is inscribed "Made on Nantucket South Shoals Lightship 50 Years ago - Presented to Mary Bowitch Forbes by James H Woods of Nantucket in 1930." James H. Woods (1846-1943) Was Nantucket's most decorated war veteran. Not only was he Nantucket's last surviving Civil War veteran, but one of the last in New England, and was one of the few servicemen to have served in both the army and the Navy. He is best known for shaking Abraham Lincoln's hand after the war. Mary Bowditch Forbes (1882-1961) was the daughter of James Murray Forbes and Alice Bowditch Forbes. Her Siblings were Dorothy Murray Forbes and Allan Forbes. She was a horse and dog enthusiast, admirer of Abraham Lincoln, amateur poet, political conservative, anti-pacafist, and anti-suffrage lobbyist. She was single, resided in Milton, Mass., and summered at a family home in Dark Harbor, Islesboro, Maine, and sometimes at Nantucket. Captain Andrew Jackson Sandsbury (1830-1902) was part of three whaling voyages, the first aboard the "Sea Queen" as a boatsteerer, the second aboard "The Nautilus" as a 2nd mate, and the last on the "Spartan" He joined the crew of South Shoal Lightship in 1872 and in 1891 succeeded Thomas James as Captain. He left the South Shoal in 1892 to become the keeper at Brant Point Light, where he retired from that position in 1898

This basket is inscribed "Made on Nantucket South Shoals Lightship 50 Years ago - Presented to Mary Bowitch Forbes by James H Woods of Nantucket in 1930."

James H. Woods (1846-1943) Was Nantucket's most decorated war veteran. Not only was he Nantucket's last surviving Civil War veteran, but one of the last in New England, and was one of the few servicemen to have served in both the army and the Navy. He is best known for shaking Abraham Lincoln's hand after the war.

Mary Bowditch Forbes (1882-1961) was the daughter of James Murray Forbes and Alice Bowditch Forbes. Her Siblings were Dorothy Murray Forbes and Allan Forbes. She was a horse and dog enthusiast, admirer of Abraham Lincoln, amateur poet, political conservative, anti-pacafist, and anti-suffrage lobbyist. She was single, resided in Milton, Mass., and summered at a family home in Dark Harbor, Islesboro, Maine, and sometimes at Nantucket.

Captain Andrew Jackson Sandsbury (1830-1902) was part of three whaling voyages, the first aboard the "Sea Queen" as a boatsteerer, the second aboard "The Nautilus" as a 2nd mate, and the last on the "Spartan" He joined the crew of South Shoal Lightship in 1872 and in 1891 succeeded Thomas James as Captain. He left the South Shoal in 1892 to become the keeper at Brant Point Light, where he retired from that position in 1898

$17,500

For more information please email us or call 508-228-0960

"One-Egg" Nantucket Lightship Basket

“One Egg” Nantucket lightship basket with oak staves and handle and double rim wrap. Rare construction using screws and nut to the handle. c.1950

“One Egg” Nantucket lightship basket with oak staves and handle and double rim wrap.

Rare construction using screws and nut to the handle.

c. 1950

$850

For more information please email us or call 508-228-0960

"One-Egg" Nantucket Lightship Basket
Attributed to C. Mitchell Ray.

"One-Egg" Nantucket Lightship Basket Attributed to C. Mitchell Ray. A Great early example of one of "Mitchy" Ray's earlier "One-Egg" baskets. Great condition with a dark honey patina, 3"diameter. c.1920.

 

A Great early example of one of "Mitchy" Ray's earlier "One-Egg" baskets.

Great condition with a dark honey patina,

3"diameter. c.1920.

Mitchy Ray learned how to make Nantucket Lightship Baskets as a young boy working with his grandfather Charles B. Ray, a highly regarded mariner and prolific basket weaver. Unlike his grandfather and his father Charles F. Ray, Mitchy never went to sea. He is remembered as an Island character with a reputation of being wild in his younger years. At one point he saved a man from drowning at Surfside earning a medal for his deed. Mitchy took up various jobs and after a short time spent on the Cape as a meat cutter he decided to come home. Mitchy later became a full time basket maker opening a small shop in Starbuck Court. Mitchy used the molds given to him by his father Charles and made utility, or work baskets in various sizes, starting with the tiny “one egger” of which he sold hundreds. Each, for the sum of about $1.50.

In 1920 Mitchy was visited by a young William Sevrens whom he introduced to introduced him to basket weaving. Mitchy is credited with giving the idea to Sevrens of adding a penny to the inside of his basket to identify it, which later became Sevrens trademark. It was not until 1964 that Sevrens opened his own basket shop on Old South Wharf. Early in his basket making career the baskets were well constructed and adorned with a simple paper label. Later in his career he began adding the now familiar tag line “I was made in Nantucket, I’m strong and stout. Don’t lose me or burn me and I’ll never wear out. Made by Mitchy Ray.” As time went on and Mitchy aged, his popular baskets very popular and he was selling them so fast that some say the time and effort that went into his later baskets doesn’t have the detailed quality he produced earlier. However in all of his baskets the durability is ever present and rich in his family and Nantucket history. Mitchy Ray baskets are treasured by those who collect Nantucket lightship baskets.

$1250

For more information please email us or call 508-228-0960

Large Open Nantucket Lightship Basket
by Jose Reyes

Large Open Nantucket Lightship Basket by Jose Reyes A very early basket by Jose Reyes with wide oak staves, oak swing, and wooden ears. Great patina. c. 1940Large Open Nantucket Lightship Basket by Jose Reyes A very early basket by Jose Reyes with wide oak staves, oak swing, and wooden ears. Great patina. c. 1940

A very early basket by Jose Reyes with wide oak staves, oak swing, and wooden ears.

14" Great patina. c. 1940

$4500

For more information please email us or call 508-228-0960

12 1/2" Oval Nantucket Lightship Basket
Attributed to C. Mitchell Ray (Mitchy Ray)

12 1/2" Oval Nantucket Lightship Basket Attributed to C. Mitchell Ray (Mitchy Ray) With oak swing handle and brass ears. Attributed to C. Mitchell Ray c.1920-1930 Clinton Mitchell Ray, third-generation Nantucket basketmaker, was the son of Charles F. Ray (1826 - 1901), and grandson of master mariner Charles B. Ray (1798 -1884). Many other members of the Ray family were also Nantucket basketmakers. Mitchy Ray is considered by many to be the last of the old time basketmakers on Nantucket. He died on February 13, 1956.12 1/2" Oval Nantucket Lightship Basket Attributed to C. Mitchell Ray (Mitchy Ray) With oak swing handle and brass ears. Attributed to C. Mitchell Ray c.1920-1930 Clinton Mitchell Ray, third-generation Nantucket basketmaker, was the son of Charles F. Ray (1826 - 1901), and grandson of master mariner Charles B. Ray (1798 -1884). Many other members of the Ray family were also Nantucket basketmakers. Mitchy Ray is considered by many to be the last of the old time basketmakers on Nantucket. He died on February 13, 1956.
12 1/2" Oval Nantucket Lightship Basket Attributed to C. Mitchell Ray (Mitchy Ray) With oak swing handle and brass ears. Attributed to C. Mitchell Ray c.1920-1930 Clinton Mitchell Ray, third-generation Nantucket basketmaker, was the son of Charles F. Ray (1826 - 1901), and grandson of master mariner Charles B. Ray (1798 -1884). Many other members of the Ray family were also Nantucket basketmakers. Mitchy Ray is considered by many to be the last of the old time basketmakers on Nantucket. He died on February 13, 1956.

With oak swing handle and brass ears. Attributed to C. Mitchell Ray

c.1920-1930

Clinton Mitchell Ray, third-generation Nantucket basketmaker, was the son of Charles F. Ray (1826 - 1901), and grandson of master mariner Charles B. Ray (1798 -1884). Many other members of the Ray family were also Nantucket basketmakers. Mitchy Ray is considered by many to be the last of the old time basketmakers on Nantucket. He died on February 13, 1956.

$2200

For more information please email us or call 508-228-0960

9" Oval Nantucket Lightship Basket

9" Oval Nantucket Lightship Basket attributed to William D. Appleton (1851-1918) c.1880-18909" Oval Nantucket Lightship Basket attributed to William D. Appleton (1851-1918) c.1880-1890

attributed to William D. Appleton (1851-1918)

c.1880-1890

$2400

For more information please email us or call 508-228-0960

8 1/2" Open Round Nantucket Lightship Basket

8 1/2" Open Round Nantucket Lightship Basket With pronounced carved heart shaped handles. Very unusual form, most likely used as a sewing basket. Attributed to Charles F. Ray (1826-1901) Charles F. Ray was the son of Capt. Charles Ray and the father of Clinton "Mitchy" Ray. He was a cooper and was a crewman abourd the Crossrip Lightship c.1880-1900.8 1/2" Open Round Nantucket Lightship Basket With pronounced carved heart shaped handles. Very unusual form, most likely used as a sewing basket. Attributed to Charles F. Ray (1826-1901) Charles F. Ray was the son of Capt. Charles Ray and the father of Clinton "Mitchy" Ray. He was a cooper and was a crewman abourd the Crossrip Lightship c.1880-1900.
8 1/2" Open Round Nantucket Lightship Basket With pronounced carved heart shaped handles. Very unusual form, most likely used as a sewing basket. Attributed to Charles F. Ray (1826-1901) Charles F. Ray was the son of Capt. Charles Ray and the father of Clinton "Mitchy" Ray. He was a cooper and was a crewman abourd the Crossrip Lightship c.1880-1900.9" Shallow Round Nantucket Lightship Basket. With cane staves and heavily turned and incised cherry bottom and carved oak handles.. Stamped on bottom "AC HUSSEY S SHOA.........SHIP". Most likely used as a woman's sewing or work basket. Attributed to Albert Hussey, b. 1836

With pronounced carved heart shaped handles. Very unusual form, most likely used as a sewing basket.

Attributed to Charles F. Ray (1826-1901)

Charles F. Ray was the son of Capt. Charles Ray and the father of Clinton "Mitchy" Ray. He was a cooper and was a crewman abourd the Crossrip Lightship c.1880-1900.

$2800

For more information please email us or call 508-228-0960

9" Shallow Round Nantucket Lightship Basket.

9" Shallow Round Nantucket Lightship Basket. With cane staves and heavily turned and incised cherry bottom and carved oak handles.. Stamped on bottom "AC HUSSEY S SHOA.........SHIP". Most likely used as a woman's sewing or work basket. Attributed to Albert Hussey, b. 18369" Shallow Round Nantucket Lightship Basket. With cane staves and heavily turned and incised cherry bottom and carved oak handles.. Stamped on bottom "AC HUSSEY S SHOA.........SHIP". Most likely used as a woman's sewing or work basket. Attributed to Albert Hussey, b. 1836
9" Shallow Round Nantucket Lightship Basket. With cane staves and heavily turned and incised cherry bottom and carved oak handles.. Stamped on bottom "AC HUSSEY S SHOA.........SHIP". Most likely used as a woman's sewing or work basket. Attributed to Albert Hussey, b. 18369" Shallow Round Nantucket Lightship Basket. With cane staves and heavily turned and incised cherry bottom and carved oak handles.. Stamped on bottom "AC HUSSEY S SHOA.........SHIP". Most likely used as a woman's sewing or work basket. Attributed to Albert Hussey, b. 1836

With cane staves and heavily turned and incised cherry bottom and carved oak handles..

Stamped on bottom "AC HUSSEY S SHOA.........SHIP".

Most likely used as a woman's sewing or work basket.

Attributed to Albert Hussey, b. 1836

$7500

For more information please email us or call 508-228-0960

11" Open Round Nantucket Lightship Basket

11" Open Round Nantucket Lightship Basket 11" Diameter c. 1880 Unknown Maker11" Open Round Nantucket Lightship Basket 11" Diameter c. 1880 Unknown Maker
11" Open Round Nantucket Lightship Basket 11" Diameter c. 1880 Unknown Maker

11" Diameter

c. 1880

Unknown Maker

$1500

For more information please email us or call 508-228-0960

Open Round Nantucket Lightship Basket
Attributed to Captain James Wyer

Open Round Nantucket Lightship Basket Attributed to Captain James Wyer 8" Diameter Very rare lightship basket in excellent condition.Open Round Nantucket Lightship Basket Attributed to Captain James Wyer 8" Diameter Very rare lightship basket in excellent condition.
Open Round Nantucket Lightship Basket Attributed to Captain James Wyer 8" Diameter Very rare lightship basket in excellent condition.

8" Diameter

Very rare lightship basket in excellent condition.

$3800

For more information please email us or call 508-228-0960

8" Round Nantucket Lightship Basket.

Attributed to AD Williams, c.1918, with oak swing handle and oak staves, with concentric circles consistent with Williams' baskets. The name "Alice Pierce" and the date, 1918 is inscribed on the outside bottom Mint condition. 8" Diameter, 4" Height.Attributed to AD Williams, c.1918, with oak swing handle and oak staves, with concentric circles consistent with Williams' baskets. The name "Alice Pierce" and the date, 1918 is inscribed on the outside bottom Mint condition. 8" Diameter, 4" Height.
Attributed to AD Williams, c.1918, with oak swing handle and oak staves, with concentric circles consistent with Williams' baskets. The name "Alice Pierce" and the date, 1918 is inscribed on the outside bottom Mint condition. 8" Diameter, 4" Height.Attributed to AD Williams, c.1918, with oak swing handle and oak staves, with concentric circles consistent with Williams' baskets. The name "Alice Pierce" and the date, 1918 is inscribed on the outside bottom Mint condition. 8" Diameter, 4" Height.

Attributed to AD Williams, c.1918, with oak swing handle and oak staves, with concentric circles consistent with Williams' baskets. The name "Alice Pierce" and the date, 1918 is inscribed on the outside bottom Mint condition. 8" Diameter, 4" Height.

For more information please email us or call 508-228-0960

8" Shallow Round Nantucket Lightship Basket

Attributed to William D. Appleton, with nicely shaped swing handle. Missing a few cane weavers. 8" Diameter, 4" High Written on top of oak handle, 'Nantucket, 1890'.Attributed to William D. Appleton, with nicely shaped swing handle. Missing a few cane weavers. 8" Diameter, 4" High Written on top of oak handle, 'Nantucket, 1890'.
Attributed to William D. Appleton, with nicely shaped swing handle. Missing a few cane weavers. 8" Diameter, 4" High Written on top of oak handle, 'Nantucket, 1890'.

Attributed to William D. Appleton, with nicely shaped swing handle. Missing a few cane weavers. 8" Diameter, 4" High Written on top of oak handle, 'Nantucket, 1890'.

For more information please email us or call 508-228-0960

9 1/2" Round Nantucket Lightship Basket

Mid to Late 19th Century, Unknown Maker. Early Nantucket lightship basket with swing handle with wide oak staves and reed. Minor broken reed, in overall good condition. 9 1/2" Diameter, 6 1/2" Height Mid to Late 19th Century, Unknown Maker. Early Nantucket lightship basket with swing handle with wide oak staves and reed. Minor broken reed, in overall good condition. 9 1/2" Diameter, 6 1/2" Height
Mid to Late 19th Century, Unknown Maker. Early Nantucket lightship basket with swing handle with wide oak staves and reed. Minor broken reed, in overall good condition. 9 1/2" Diameter, 6 1/2" Height

Mid to Late 19th Century, Unknown Maker. Early Nantucket lightship basket with swing handle with wide oak staves and reed. Minor broken reed, in overall good condition. 9 1/2" Diameter, 6 1/2" Height

For more information please email us or call 508-228-0960

Unusual Open Round Nantucket Lightship Basket

Attributed to Capt. Charles B. Ray, 1798-1884. 9" with unwrapped and flattened oak rim. This basket was never completed, the basket is a bottom of what would have been a market basket. Mint condition 9" Diameter, 6" Height Attributed to Capt. Charles B. Ray, 1798-1884. 9" with unwrapped and flattened oak rim. This basket was never completed, the basket is a bottom of what would have been a market basket. Mint condition 9" Diameter, 6" Height
Attributed to Capt. Charles B. Ray, 1798-1884. 9" with unwrapped and flattened oak rim. This basket was never completed, the basket is a bottom of what would have been a market basket. Mint condition 9" Diameter, 6" Height Attributed to Capt. Charles B. Ray, 1798-1884. 9" with unwrapped and flattened oak rim. This basket was never completed, the basket is a bottom of what would have been a market basket. Mint condition 9" Diameter, 6" Height

Attributed to Capt. Charles B. Ray, 1798-1884." with unwrapped and flattened oak rim. This basket was never completed, the basket is a bottom of what would have been a market basket. Mint condition 9" Diameter, 6" Height

For more information please email us or call 508-228-0960

Shows