Vintage Nantucket Cocktail Purse, signed Annapolis, circa 1970

Vintage Nantucket Cocktail Purse, signed Annapolis, circa 1970, a diminutive oval covered Nantucket basket having cane weave on stout rattan staves, shaped oak swing handle, with a scrimshaw carved ivory flying gull atop an ivory top plate, and mounted with turned ivory handle knobs, peg and very unusual carved bar hinge; the interior has a cotton liner and original owner’s name engraved on interior lid, and is stamped Annapolis on the oak bottom plate. This basket has the low profile of a cocktail purse, but is a little longer and broader than is usually the case with cocktails so there would be no problem fitting a generous iphone.

I have seen three or four other similar baskets by the same maker, some inscribed Annapolis and some initialed, but their identity is unknown. They are all uniformly strongly made and tightly woven. I think this securely crafted bar hinge was unique to this maker, although at least one modern craftsman I  know has tried their hand at it. The basket remains in great condition with a light patina.

Measures:5 in h x 8-3/4 in L x 6 in W

This vintage piece of Nantucket  folk art includes scrimshaw carved and engraved ivory that is pre-ban, the quantity is fully consistent with the statute Law of The Minimus, and is in full compliance with federal law as specified in the Marine Mammal Protection Act (1972), Endangered Species Act (1973), and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Director’s Order No. 210 (as amended 2014).