Beyond the fun collectibles we can use to celebrate the season, you know, the paper mache rabbits, tin Easter eggs and stuffed chicks that we often find hard to resist, you can get a little more sophisticated by adding an attractive glass basket or two.
Actually, collecting glass and ceramic baskets doesn’t really revolve around a specific season, but this might be a good time to start a collection just the same. After all, this is prime basket time for dealers rotating stock and creating Easter related displays, and it’s always fun to shop when the selection’s good.
There’s a book out on the topic that will spark your imagination and remind you about just how many different types of cleverly crafted baskets can make up a collection. Take a look at Glass & Ceramic Baskets (Collector Books) by Carole Bess White and L.M. White and you’ll see exactly what I mean.
With close to 600 photographs of both old and new baskets featured, as well as pages covering old magazine ads and import catalogs, you can study this soft cover guide for hours. And for me, looking at the photos in a good reference guide can be a great way to make up a “wish list” for future shopping.
In fact, the prices, styles and rarity of the baskets shown in this guide vary so widely that it offers a match for every taste and budget, which is nice for beginners and collectors watching their purse strings.
The section on American glass baskets offers primarily classics dating prior to the 1950s. Whether you favor the glass of Cambridge, Heisey, Fenton, Duncan, Imperial or Westmoreland, you’ll find ample representation here. All the photos are in color, too, which makes perusing the pages even more enticing.
Although the older pieces are often favorites, this guide includes some modern imported glass baskets as well. No matter what type you prefer, a little comparison between old and new can prepare you to identify mislabeled wares and avoid paying too much while browsing your favorite shopping haunts.
As for ceramic and pottery baskets, Roseville is the largest of the pottery companies shown in the book, but there are many others represented including Hull and McCoy examples. The ceramic imports section is extensive and quite interesting including everything from early 1900s souvenir baskets to handcrafted Capodimonte baskets made in Italy.
Throughout the book, each piece is pictured and accompanied by a brief description, market value and country of manufacture. It’s not a good text for extensive study, but if you prefer learning through visuals, this one will definitely please you.
Of course, this book isn’t comprehensive by any means, but does provide a good point of departure when discovering what you’re attracted to as far as color, shape, size and composition goes. Then, you can begin selecting baskets that are complementary to your specific likes and decor.
Of course, there’s really no rhyme or reason to this type of collection. You can collect only cranberry glass baskets and come up with an enviable selection. Or, you can buy every type of basket from miniature ceramics to large milk glass versions and put together an interesting display. It’s really a matter of taste, and of course, price.
While you probably won’t find a large selection of baskets made by the top glass producers and pottery firms available for bargain prices, there are still some affordable choices that make pretty groupings. Take a look around and you’ll discover many small floral baskets with German and Japanese marks priced in the $15-25, if not less.
