NANTUCKET
LIGHTSHIP BASKET PURSE
BY MARTIN BROWN
Martin Brown is a second generation
craftsman and this purse has been authenticated by Mr. Brown
to be one of very
few bags he ever made with an ivory sculpture. He dates the bag to 20-25 years
old
and believes the scrimshaw was done by his father,pre-banning ivory law. Martin Brown builds
his
baskets using traditional hardwood construction with oak staves and
hardwood handles. Martin also
uses exotic hardwoods to make his distinctive top
plates. The wood on top is Macassar Ebony and
on the bottom Black Walnut.
Mr. Brown states that the picture of the
gentleman in the folded sales sheet that accompanies the
basket is that of his
father who now is in his nineties. He believes this particular basket was used
by
George M. Corcoran Enterprises as the model for copies that they had made
and sold in their shop.
Mr. Brown’s analysis of the purse is that
it is in excellent shape and relatively unused.
Mr. Brown also stated
that the bag with its provenance should be valued at a minimum of $2500.
The dimensions are: 7 ½” long, 6” wide, 4
½” deep
Overall w/ handle: 9 ½” tall and 8 ½” long