The Unique Tradition of Nantucket Lightship Baskets in Americana
Only on the small Massachusetts island of Nantucket will you find the century and a half old tradition of lightship-basket making, which continues to this day. Several contemporary basket makers have found much success for their original creations and intricate and creative basket designs. Their work can be found in museums, historical societies, and distinguished private collections. Such is the case for contemporary basket maker Harry A. Hilbert. This August, our Americana sale features nine of his carefully executed baskets from The Collection of Henry B. Holt.
According to the Nantucket Historical Society, “there are four distinctive elements that define a Nantucket lightship basket. The basket is woven on a mold; the staves are made of rattan; the weavers are of cane; and the basket has a solid wood base.” Nantucket Lightship Baskets received their name after the place where they were first made, the Nantucket Lightships, or “floating lighthouses.” As early as the 1820s, lightships sat out on the rough waters off the coast to warn incoming ships they were land-bound. Sailors on these ships spent many hours out at sea and found ways to pass the time through craft. They began basket-making and bringing these items home once their duty finished. The baskets were popular amongst islanders in the late 19th century for their practicality as storage and carrying baskets and took off especially in the first half of the 20th century, when basket-making moved from ship to shore. Baskets were even used by ladies as purses when they were gifted by their sailor husbands out at sea.
The contemporary basket maker Harry A. Hilbert came to the tradition of basket-making later in life in the 1970s when he was in his 50s, after a successful career as an antique shop owner in Connecticut. Henry stayed with friends in Nantucket who owned a collection of lightship baskets. He admired the craftmanship of these pieces so much, he decided to recreate one as a gift to his friends. Henry was already an experienced woodworker, and he quickly became enamored with the practice. He used his skills to create more intricate designs with carving, inlaid lids and other decorations. His works are greatly admired and have been exhibited in the Smithsonian Museum, Wadsworth Athenaeum, Boston Museum of Fine Arts and Yale. His works have also been displayed at RISD and National Museum of American History, the Nantucket Lightship Basket Museum and the Wilton Historical Society.
The collection of Harry A. Hilbert baskets in the sale each has their own delightful shape, form and style. It is clear why the appeal of these baskets endures to this day. Nantucket lightship baskets delightfully recall the unique island and allow one to bring home a piece of this tradition.