posted on March 9, 2001 06:55:17 PM
This was found deep in an old attic in an old house in Setauket, LI, NY (area deep in Revolutionary War history)....Seller claimed it was a hat (does fit on the adult head perfectly, well balanced & despite it's look, is quite comfortable).....Any ideas???
posted on March 9, 2001 06:58:52 PM
Well I'm stumped. If I wore a hat like that up here, my brain would freeze!
Seeing as it was found in NYS, is there any chance that it's an Adirondack twig basket thingamabobber?
The weave on your item seems to loose to be a hat? If it was a hat, I would imagine it would be Asian in origin, so have a look at this site for comparison.
posted on March 9, 2001 07:03:29 PM
If that's a hat it's one that Primak and Beldar brought with them from Remulak. If so, it's pretty recent so not that valuable.
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.I say it's a fishing tool of some sort, but that's just a wild guess.
posted on March 9, 2001 07:05:19 PM
Well, I suppose it COULD be a Chinese "coolie" hat, but it doesn't look waterproof or sunproof enough....
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The opinions expressed above are for comparison purposes only. Your mileage may vary....
posted on March 9, 2001 08:28:28 PM
Well maybe it could go with my "widget"....
Maybe we can post them together and make it double "widget"...?....I think your basket maybe to strain or clean food....rice...berrie's....fruit or veggie's maybe?....I think the two "widgets look great together....
posted on March 9, 2001 08:37:53 PM
It doesn't appear to be a hat. It does look to be an object of utility. Do you have any idea of the age, or the materials? Are there knife marks on any of the rushes? How deep is it and what is the diameter?
posted on March 10, 2001 12:07:45 AMJewels2go, I saw the original thread on your widget, and just about died laughing over some of the suggestions! I think eBay should have a category called "weird widgets"--in order to bid you would have to guess the purpose, and the highest bidder with the correct answer wins!!
Rancher, the basket top (IMO) sounds like the most probable, unless there's supposed to be some kind of stand for it to stay upright on the pointed end.
posted on March 10, 2001 10:43:53 AM
Sorry I'm so late posting to your responses, but I haven't yet mastered the fine art of typing while ROFLMAO!.....So let's review:
Reddeer....I'm sure there must be at least a couple of days a year where you could wear this without threat of cranium frostbite! My theory WAS a hat with Asian origins, my thinking was that an Asian immigrant, with hat making skills, was transported to NY and used the natural materials available here to make this one. While I can see your point with the thingamabobber guess, I'm leanin' more towards Whatamacallit....
Pointy...perhaps a fishing tool to catch fish so that they could "consume mass quantities"....
Godzillatemple, agreed not waterproof at all, sunproof enough for NY but certainly NOT for Asian heat!
Ubiedaman, I thought about basket (albeit a wobbly basket) but never thought about a basket top...interesting guess...
Missspider, ROFLMAO! Certainly a guys dream, it's 19" wide & 12" deep, which, I think, roughtly translates to a 87 ZZZZZ cup!!!!
Jewels2go, combined auction, eh?....How's about "L@@K Sinker Mold/Gyno Tool & Asian Hat/Berry Basket RARE HTF" You can make fishing molds while wearing the hat, use the basket to hold the finished sinkers, & then practice your gyno skills!....Count 'em, 4 unique items in one lot, for one money!
Smw, visually it looks like old wicker (some sort of long bendable twigs, vines, or branches) Houses in the area can be hundreds of years old...Size is 19" diameter x 12" deep...No knife markings, appears to be simply bent or weaved into place....
Billd26, Pasta anyone???..."RARE HTF Prototype Wicker Collander"
Capriole, see my plan below...I WILL NOT rest til I find out what the heck this it!
Jadejiim, my husband agrees with you on the Sinker Mold
Kaneen, Maybe it's from the New SNL???, I haven't watched since it was funny!, back in the conehead days!!!....
Snowdays, agreed, makes me shudder just lookin' at it.....
Mcbrunnhilde, definately would need a stand to keep from fallin' down.....
Ok, here's my plan....I'm gonna pop for the 10 bucks and see what Eppraisals comes up with...&...then contact the local university, which is located in the general vicinity of where the hat/basket/collendar/fishing tool/bra/conehead hat was found...I'll be sure to post the findings....
Thank you all for your insights and a great laugh to start my Saturday!
~ Rancher
[ edited by rancher24 on Mar 10, 2001 10:45 AM ]
posted on March 10, 2001 11:53:16 AM
You have heard of basket weaving as - shall we say therapy? The end product as you can see is less important than the process....
posted on March 10, 2001 12:49:29 PM
I have consulted with a friend and this is our best guess....
We believe it is a receptacle of some sort that fits into a wooden or wicker stand or holder. We believe one possibility is a gardening basket for either fruit or perhaps cut flowers. The notion of it being a colander is not far off .
As for the age, wicker needs hands on and a real expert to know the materials and age. From the design elements it looks Victorian to me. Anyway...no guarantees, just our best shot.
Shabby chic is an oxymoron, (and a registered trade mark that is owned by Rachel Ashwell)that drives me nuts.
[ edited by smw on Mar 10, 2001 01:59 PM ]
posted on March 10, 2001 01:06:03 PM
I feel pretty sure that it is a lamp shade. It would rest on 3 or four 'spokes' that stuck out of the lamp base - which was also wicker. These 'spokes' are usually located right beneath the socket of the lamp.
It may have been lined with silk at one time.
If marketed as a shade, I think it would bring a much higher price than if marketed as a hat. Especially, if you say "Shabby Chic"!!!
noteye
My thoughts on this issue have gone 'Un-Surveyed' and may not be of importance to the P.T.B.
posted on March 10, 2001 01:57:00 PM
Hi, I am wondering if its a Native "Burden Basket"....seriously. Its looks a bit wider than I believe they were, but the Native burden baskets were carried on their back much like modern back pack is and the conical shaped basket was nestled in a woven tumpline or burden strap much like the modern day macrame plant hangers set in the holders. The front of the strap either went across their forehead or chest. Now, I am not saying that is what it is....most of those baskets were a little tighter woven and many had a design woven in but thats my best guess. Pam
posted on March 10, 2001 02:58:55 PM
I'll have to agree with Noteye on this one(although some of the other answers are far more entertaining). That's a Victorian era wicker lamp shade, either for a floor lamp or a very tall table lamp. My grandfather restored a wicker table lamp for me years ago and my shade is similar, but flatter. And they were usually lined with silk in their original incarnation.
posted on March 10, 2001 05:21:25 PM
Well, you know that area is rife with Historical Societies out the kazoo! And the LI Society for Historical Kazoos is in Roslyn.(?) Why not ask them. For me, poisonally, I think it is a hunting/fishing/gathering kazoo since Setauket is a hotbed for that sort of thingee. As long as it isn't glass, I am happy for you! Now try and sell it!
posted on March 11, 2001 01:10:49 AM
glassperson - A "Society for Historical Kazoos"???!!! I once played the kazoo in a Junior Shriner's Marching Clown Band, and I sure never saw one made of wicker!!! That would be historical. Are you sure what you saw in Roslyn wasn't a "Society for Hysterical Kazoos?"
Gravid...Ah, I do remember fondly my days of basket weavin' back at the home!
Smw, thanx to you & your friend for putting your heads together on this.....certainly sounds reasonable to have been a gathering basket....Perhaps a trip to my local library to search for pictures of the area/residents might even show a similiar "device"....BTW, I didn't know that "Shabby Chic" was actually a registered trademark, thought it was just an annoyin' phrase used by decorators!
Noteye & Rivergrrrl, hmm I never thought about it being a lampshade. Would look very nice in my home as a primitive piece without the silk (I don't see any signs on the piece that it ever had material attached, but I suppose that the evidence would have been long gone)
Minx47, I could envision this nestled in a holder, carried on the back.....thanx for your input...
Mildreds, I will post any other info I get....stay tuned!
Glassperson, don't tell me I gotta return that pallet full of old glass lamps, vases & misc pieces I just received from the "we sell old glass" store?... Are you local to LI?...Sounds like you certainly know the area!!...Setauket is a fishin' area with Port Jeff right next door!...Will have to check out the Roslyn Historical Society....
Kaneen, I think that glassperson was kiddin' bout the kazoo thing!...I am proud to say tho that a couple years back I sold a kazoo on eBay which became "Kazoo of the Month" on a collectors Kazoo website! (seriously!)
Thanx agin' to you all for sharing your expertise....Now I'm even more curious to find out exactly what this "treasure" is!....Will start will Epraisials & search for local info while I'm waitin'!
posted on March 11, 2001 02:59:26 PM
Hi, please do let us know if you find out what it is....I have a picture in one of my books that has a native lady using one very similar to that shape/style etc...so am very curious to know if thats what you have one of. Pam
posted on March 11, 2001 05:42:49 PM
Rancher24: Seriously, you have 3 sources:
The Port J Historical Society, the Museums at SB, and the Society for LI Preservation in Roslyn. Don't be surprised if this piece turns up to be relatively new. Sigh.
posted on March 11, 2001 06:34:25 PM
Thanks rancher24 (and glassperson)! I was aware that glassperson was "kiddin'" about the "kazoo thingy", and so was I. I have never been in a shriner's clown band, but I have been known to wail a mean kazoo lick or two in my time. This has been a very enjoyable thread...in fact, I haven't had this much fun since the pigs ate my brother. Good luck in your pursuit, and I sure hope it doesn't turn out to be "Fool's Wicker"!!
posted on March 12, 2001 08:12:59 AM
minx47....I'll be sure to let you all know....Could you post a copy of the pic you have?...I would be very curious to see that...Thanx!
glassperson...Great connections, although my experience with the PJHS tells me that they really wouldn't be of help...The other two maybe....BTW, my research indicates that last year your were in the WN skeeter spraying zone (best I could come up with regarding your local) since I am no where near that area ("no where" being a relative term since the island is relatively small) I doubt we will be invading each other's territory anytime in the near future! Since I paid a whoppin' $2 for the item, I'd be happy just to find out what the heck it is, and wouldn't be too disappointed if it's relatively new....
Kaneen, whoops!...I missed the whole joke, eh?....Ah, somedays are like that for me!...You keep on kazooin'!....and in this case "Fools Wicker" might be perfect for me, heck I could keep it right next to my fools gold pieces!
posted on March 12, 2001 02:49:59 PM
Rancher: Don't like PJHS. Ok, here's another one: go to the "Head of the River" and visit the Museum out there. They have a "professional curator".At least, they did.
