Nantucket Lightship Basket Carvings
| Carvings have been used on the top of hand
bags since Jose Reyes popularized the handbag form of the Nantucket Basket in
the late 1940's. Many customers and students also put carvings inside or on the
side of their
baskets. This is a great way to personalize a special gift.
Carvings shown below are ivory, ebony, and other exotic hardwoods. (Yes ivory is legal to buy and
sell (inside the U.S..)) Woolly Mammoth ivory has become popular and can be used in
place of elephant ivory.
For the top of a purse the most common carving from the era where this began is the sperm whale either in ivory or ebony but this is just the starting point. There are endless possibilities to consider from the single carving, to a "seafood salad" collection of shells and sea life, to a one piece monogram, I have even seen a sperm whale tooth mounted on the top of a purse! In addition to carvings on the top of the purse the front closure is a place where carvings can be used. Carvings are also a great compliment to trays and open baskets as you will see below.
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Carvings by Tim Parsons
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