Nantucket Basket Purse

Description:

Nantucket Basket Purse, made by Jose Formoso Reyes, Nantucket, Massachusetts, 1964, oval form with a carved ivory sperm whale figure affixed to the lid, ivory latch pin and handle knobs, signed and dated by the maker on the base, ht. with handle down 7 1/4, dia. 9 1/2 in.

Note: Jose Reyes was the first Nantucket basketmaker to make a woman's purse, around 1948. Included in the lot are several news clippings about Mr. Reyes and other Nantucket basketmakers, and correspondence between Reyes' wife Mary and the original purchaser of the basket regarding the backlog of orders.
Estimate $300-500

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