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Two early Mattapoisett baskets/purses. Although we cannot verify their maker(s), we believe these two baskets are circa 1940s Mattapoisett hand-crafted baskets that can be attributed to Mattapoisett artist Gladys Ellis. The baskets, modeled after a Nantucket purse, are made of pine needles and raffia with Teneriffe lace pinwheels and clam shell lids over oval bodies. The first basket has large laced Teneriffe medallions or pinwheels at top and sides, and two handles with a wooden bead closure. It appears a bit misshapen (as shown) likely due to storage. Also, there is some fraying at bottom as shown. Measures 11" x 7" x 5". The second basket has one strap, a wooden bead closure and wooden bottom with (possibly) silk lining. Some of the weave has detached at the closure and the wooden bottom also has some fraying as shown. Measures 10.5" x 5.5" x 6". According to "those in the know" depending on complexity one of these baskets can take up to two years to complete. Gladys Heuberger Sherman Ellis (1916-2011) was an accomplished scrimshaw artist, painter and Nantucket basket maker taught basket making for over 25 years in New Bedford, MA. She designed and created the Mattapoisett Basket, a unique regional form of the Nantucket Basket. Ellis was one of 10 children with immigrant parents, Helmuth (German) and Ellen (English). Ellis was a lifelong resident of Mattapoisett and was the first in her family to graduate high school. She was a self-taught artist, seamstress, needle worker, furniture upholsterer/refinisher, scrimshaw artist and basket maker. For decades she taught many classes in basket making in her home as well as in the adult education program at the New Bedford, MA, Regional Vocational Technical High School. The Museum of FIne Arts in Boston has in its collection a Gladys Ellis Mattapoisett basket acquired in 1984. *See our LITA Facebook Page to learn more about the history of Mattapoisett baskets!
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