19th Century Salmon Painted Basket
One of the best painted lightship baskets we have ever come across. It is the original paint probably from when it was made, c. 1890-1910. Made by William Dayton Appleton (1851-1918). Appleton is a highly collected basket maker and was instrumental on bringing the basket weaving that were made on lightships to land. His trademark are his handles, the ends are always chamfered and he double wrapped his rims. He worked as a crewman on the South Shial Lightship and later was a livery driver and carpenter.