Vintage Nantucket Purse by Sherwin Boyer (1907-1964), circa 1960

Vintage Nantucket Purse by Sherwin Boyer (1907 – 1964), circa 1960, an oval covered Nantucket basket with cane weave on oak staves, shaped wooden swing handle  attached to rim with turned whale tooth knobs, turned rosewood peg, and having a scrimshaw carved whale tooth Sperm Whale by Charlie Sayle mounted on a rosewood top plate,  signed by double stamp and paper label on the bottom.

The basket has nice but unusual proportions in being a little taller than the norm for its size  and remains in excellent condition with a very warm patina. The whale has an old crack near the tail but is tight and secure.

Measures: 6-1/2 in H x 7-1/4 in L x 5-3/4 in W

Sherwin Porter Boyer (1907-1964) was one of the first generation of Nantucket basket makers in the “purse” period, starting in the late 1940s and working up until his death in 1964. A contemporary of Jose Reyes and Stephen Gibbs, he is regarded as one of the best basket makers of the period. Working in a little shop in back of a building on Federal Street across from St. Mary’s Church, his baskets were made with oak staves and carved oak handles attached with brass ears. He signed his work with a cruciform BOYER stamp, and a paper label inscribed I was made on Nantucket Island, am strong and stout, don’t lose or burn me, I’ll never wear out. Made by S.P. Boyer.