Unusual Antique New England Hourglass Shaped Dark Splint Basket horsehair brush with turned wood handle 3 3/4" across at base

3 3/4" across at base

I found it at the estate sale of an actress and philanthropist and like to imagine it was a souvenir from perhaps a first apartment rental in New York or London

I have to stop myself from accumulating too many

repeated four times around the perimeter of the basket

I believe it dates to the first half of the 20th century

Unusual Antique New England Hourglass Shaped Dark Splint Basket horsehair brush with turned wood handle 3 3/4" across at baseWhat an extraordinarily beautiful basket I think this is, and it is one I handle pretty carefully as I believe it is really very old and somewhat fragile. I have looked at lots and lots of antique woven splint baskets, and have found next to none with this sort of hour glass shape. With its narrow neck, it might have been used for holding something live that might have the capacity to jump out! The fixed handle is carved wood notched just above and