Purses and Totes
One of the most popular baskets is the lady’s handbag, developed only 50 years ago by Jose Reyes, a Filipino, who added a woven lid. These lids are often decorated with scrimshaw, or a carved ivory or bone whale, dolphin or shells. The baskets are woven with cane. The bases are created from hardwoods such as cherry, oak, maple, and sometimes ebony. Small brass escutcheon pins around the rim, add a decorative touch.
We will custom design a basket, including the traditional purse or "pocket book" oval basket, in several different sizes; a kidney shape; a fishing creel, and two different tote baskets. And for the collector of miniatures, we also will create a charming three inch basket.
We also offer round cocktail purses in three sizes, using a variety of woods and adornments, with either a braided leather shoulder strap or a gold chain handle.
The most commonly used wood on the tops and bases is cherry. We also offer other woods such as walnut, ebony or birds eye maple. Adornment on the top ranges from scrimshaw, carved whales, dolphins, seagulls, or shells.
