Vintage Nantucket Purse by Paul Whitten, 1982

Vintage Nantucket Purse by Paul Whitten, 1982, an oval covered basket with cane weave on rattan staves, carved swing handle, scrimshaw top plaque with image of Nantucket’s Old Mill engraved by Charles Connor III, bone handle knobs and front loop peg, signed on the interior bottom “Paul Whitten, Nantucket Island, Mass, 1098.”

The basket remains in excellent condition.

Paul Whitten was born in Massachusetts in 1909. A lifelong educator, he retired permanently to Nantucket in 1965. An avid photographer and videographer, Whitten made films that showcased the beauty of his surroundings – sharing his films and slide lectures with many on the Island. He also wrote children’s books so younger visitors could learn about the Island. Paul loved Nantucket history and had a special appreciation for the island’s craftspeople. Following one of his slide lectures about Nantucket crafts, he was approached by noted Nantucket basket maker José Reyes who taught him how to make lightship baskets. Whitten quickly took to the craft and made Nantucket baskets for the next 22 years, and said that he had woven at least 2,000 baskets during his career. His relationship with Reyes led to the publication of a pamphlet, The Friendship Baskets and Their Maker, about Reyes’ life in the Philippines and Nantucket.

Whitten gained national attention for his basket making when he was contacted by the Renwick Gallery, part of the Smithsonian Institution, in 1974. He was asked to submit his work to be part of an exhibition called Craft Multiples, which represented the best of American production crafts—objects made in at least 10 of the same design. Out of 1,000 finalists, Whitten’s work was selected as one of 133 artists whose work was displayed in the Renwick Gallery and on a touring exhibit that visited towns across America. After the exhibit, the Smithsonian Institution purchased Whitten’s basket to be part of their permanent collection.

Upon retiring from basket making, Whitten published a hardbound book, Nantucket Baskets, in 1988.

This piece of vintage folk art includes an engraved scrimshaw plaque that 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), including its stated Law of the Minimus.

Measures: 6-1/2 in H x 9 in L x 7 in W