A Nantucket Lightship basket (Friendship basket). American, circa 1952-1955. Made by Jose Formosa Reyes for the Waine family, Nantucket Island, Nantucket. The oval basket with swing handle, ivory knobs and pin, with an ivory oval plaque surmounted by a carved seagull attributed to Charlie Sayles. Signed at bottom "Jose Reyes, Nantucket, Mass". Ivory name plate on the inside of lid monogrammed "L.H.W". Basked retains a dark natural patina. Height 7 /2", length 9", width 5". The most recognized form of the Nantucket basket is the coveted oval purse. Thought to be an antique form, it is a contemporary design. The twentieth-century basket maker Jose Formoso Reyes (1902-1980) conceived of the form in 1948, basing the design on baskets with loose lids made on the island in the nineteenth century. With the addition of carved ivory figures such as seagulls and whales, some of the finer examples executed by Charlie Sayles, the highly recognizable Nantucket purse was born. Please note that ivory cannot be shipped outside of the United States.

Appears fine.