I used to collect funeral baskets until I knew I had too many. One year at our Open House I hung them all outside on the porch – wish I could find the picture. Here are a few pictures of funeral baskets around my house.
Here’s another mystery – I think this is probably a plant stand even though the top opens. I use it as a nightstand beside my high bed. Any ideas? The “wastebasket” is on top for scale.
And look at this Hoya plant that has gone crazy!! The light under the skylight must be just perfect.
1 pm – back to the ballgames.
Oh, my goodness – an upset to top all upsets!! So sad.
And another upset tonight.
I was going to say sewing basket or perhaps a telephone table? We used to have a wooden one, back when it was the old black rotary dial phone. Ours had an open shelf instead of the lift top.
The basket parade was interesting, along with the comments. Thanks for sharing. I learned some new things.
March Madness is just that, anything can happen. Today I’m rooting for iowa, Iowa State, Northern Iowa and Arizona. I also hope to get started on quilting a few tops over the next two weeks as I watch. These future blankets have been sandwiched and waiting for the energy of the Madness on TV to spur me on.
Happy Spring!
Your baskets are really interesting in shapes and sizes. I have never heard them called funeral baskets. The Hoya plant is doing really well hung up there, I had one years ago but it managed to die under my care, I do not have a green thumb. Its turning nice here in central Wisconsin, but many of our side streets remain partially plowed. Hope the sun comes out and melts much of it away this weekend. My mission this weekend is make sourdough bread and clean my quilting space.
Kim – if you’re a basketball fan, I was so sad to see Wisconsin lose – to a no name team!!
I’m not an antique shopper so don’t know anything about the ‘nightstand’ other than it is really cool. How do you get up there to water the Hoya plant?
I talked to Agnes yesterday, as everyday, but she had gotten the mail and she is loving all the cards! She mentioned she got yours, Mary. She loves all the hand written notes and letters! She is still getting some every week, so we will wait to take a picture!
It was a beautiful day yesterday, and today and tomorrow are going to be even warmer! Our son and his family are taking the boat to go fishing at Chamberlain, SD. Hope they catch some!!
Have a good day!
Joy – I can reach the Hoya plant from the loft
To me, your nightstand looks like a large sewing basket on legs.??
Thank you for showing all your baskets. So many unique pieces. I also love all the information from the readers about the night stand. Isn’t it great how many were familiar with the table. That’s why I love this blog and all the readers’ comments.
Connie – I agree, Connie! I love all the info – such a great group! I say it all the time.
Hi Mary,
I agree with the other commentators: your bedside table is a sewing or knitting basket/stand. Tall sewing or knitting baskets made of rattan were very common in the late 19th century. They were the correct height for using from your chair when sitting, and kept everything neatly out of sight and off the floor away from animals and small children when not in use. One still comes across them regularly at antique markets in Europe, especially in France where spindly furniture was very popular! Sometimes they are partially made of wood. Often the inside was (is) lined with fabric (usually red) that kept the dust and the moths out and stopped wool or sewing materials from snagging om the rattan, but in older baskets the fabric has often disappeared or been removed.
Fiona – no fabric lining. It’s really quite tall – if it were by my chair it would be taller – I couldn’t reach into it sitting down.
Hi Mary, my husband,s aunt had a cane basket with lid like yours,it was a sewing basket, not as flash as a wooden sewing table, she used to put her little old dog in it at night! Cesear loved it! I too love your broken dishes quilt, wonderful colours! Take care everyone, best wishes from Sandy
My guess is a sewing basket too. Ended up with the right owner!
The quarter square triangle quilt to the left of the green basket, is it in one of your books? Great colors.
I also noticed the quarter square triangle quilt in the first photo. It looks wonderful. Have I seen the whole quilt?
I remember it on the blog, but I am not sure when. Unfortunately I am fairly sure I did not see the whole quilt.
Li – I will look
Thanks Mary.
An edit to my comment, it does have the wicker top, and I would guess the era would be ca. 1890-1920.
Hi Mary, I believe that your wood-topped stand might be a sewing stand. Does it open on hinges? Or perhaps the original wood or wicker was replaced some time ago? We used to see them in antique shops, but I haven’t seen one for a few years. It’s a treasure!
Karen – yes, the top opens on hinges but it’s so tall – if it were beside a chair it would be so much taller. Doesn’t seem to be very handy. It’s actually wicker topped.
I’ve enjoyed the NCAA tourney games today. And I think the big upsets are just part of the magic of the tournament. It is every team and players dream to be in the final four.
Mary, I admire all your funeral baskets. The unique shapes and sizes. I remember my grandmother going to the garage and choosing a couple of baskets to arrange “flags”, her name for irises and daffodils to take to the cemetery for Decoration (memorial) Day .