Rare Antique Miniature Basket Pennsylvania German Dutch outlet Shaker French Chinese Rice Chinee Trade Goods 19th Century Victorian

A finely woven miniature basket from the Victorian era. Collected by astute Americana fans for outlet decades (there are some in the Winterthur Museum collection), these little baskets were often found in Pennsylvania German country. They have also been attributed to the Shakers. I have seen them in French folk art/regional life museums.

It is rare to come across one in such fine condition today. This one measures 7 inches by 4 1/2 inches by 4 inches. It does not appear to have had a lid.

Here is, I think, the real story: According to both Earl Robacker (in his book Touch of the Dutchland) and Gloria Roth Teleki (The Baskets of Rural America) these delightful treasures of the 19th century were part of the international China Trade, made of rice straw, incredibly strong, and exported to the Western World. Considered lovely "trifles" and called Chinee, they were found here in the U.S. most often in the Pa. Dutch country.