Unusual Antique New England Hourglass Shaped Dark Splint Basket horsehair brush with turned wood handle I found it at the

I found it at the estate sale of an actress and philanthropist and like to imagine it was a souvenir from perhaps a first apartment rental in New York or London

and very finely made

There is some loss of the gold paint and a bit of curling to the leather

and some aging to the wooden base as well

3 3/4" across at base

Unusual Antique New England Hourglass Shaped Dark Splint Basket horsehair brush with turned wood handle I found it at theWhat an extraordinarily beautiful basket I think this is, and it is one I handle pretty carefully as I believe it is really very old and somewhat fragile. I have looked at lots and lots of antique woven splint baskets, and have found next to none with this sort of hour glass shape. With its narrow neck, it might have been used for holding something live that might have the capacity to jump out! The fixed handle is carved wood notched just above and