19th Century Nantucket Lightship Basket by Capt. Thomas James (1811 – 1885), circa 1870

19th Century Nantucket Lightship Basket by Capt. Thomas James (1811 – 1885), circa 1870, a round open swing-handled basket having cane weave on rattan staves with beveled edges, pine bottom plate with ten scribed concentric circles, and carved and shaped handle held by carved and dovetailed ears that extend as staves all the way down to insert into the bottom plate, unsigned.

Thomas James was born on Nantucket in 1811, the son of Thomas James and Elizabeth Winslow. He spent his early life as a whaleman and then later commanded various packet ships sailing between Nantucket and seaports as far south as Baltimore. Upon retiring he signed aboard the South Shoal Lightship as First Mate. When Captain George C. Gardner retired in 1872 James was promoted to captain, a position he held for almost ten years until 1881, when failing health compelled him to retire from active life.

Capt. James is generally believed to have been the first sailor to start making the Nantucket rattan baskets aboard the lightship. He is certainly held to have been responsible for popularizing the craft, influencing many weavers such as notably Andrew J. Sandsbury, Isaac Hamblin and Davis Hall, until it seems that all hands aboard the South Shoals Lightship were pursuing the craft.

James’ baskets are noted for their fine and strong uniform weave, and typically chamfered stave edges. He made both stationary heart-shaped handles and swing handles, typically with carved and notched ears or attachment. His paper labels, when present were over-sized, quite a bit larger than used by other makers.

Thomas James married Eliza Ann Bump with whom he had four children. Eliza passed away two years after giving birth to her fourth child in 1850, and he then married Eliza R. Cartwright. When he died in 1885, The Inquirer and Mirror reported, “Thomas S. James who died Thursday at the age of seventy four years was a citizen of exemplary habits and was highly respected in the community.”

The basket is in very good condition, but does have a few small cane breaks in the weave and is missing some of the rim wrap. It has mellowed to a beautiful warm honey patina.

Measures: 3-3/8 in H x 7-3/4 in Diameter