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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;2manybooks, post: 6397022, member: 8267&quot;]This basket is nicely made, but it does not look like a traditional oak splint basket to me.</p><p><br /></p><p>It is not always easy to tell from photos, but the material looks like it might be commercial split and stained rattan, particularly if some of the weavers are half round in cross section. The small round weavers would also be more indicative of rattan than oak. Also called cane, or reed, rattan is a product of a variety of related climbing palms, native to southeast Asia. </p><p><br /></p><p>The &quot;splints&quot; on your basket are very even in width, and show fine, even striations which are features characteristic of split rattan. The breaks at the bends of some splints also look more fibrous than wood splints. If you can find a cross section to look at with a magnifier, you might be able to see the porous nature of rattan:</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]419055[/ATTACH] </p><p><br /></p><p>A wood splint such as ash or oak has a smoother surface (although some grain and scrapes can be seen, it tends to be more irregular). In cross section, it has a denser structure.</p><p><br /></p><p>The cordage on the rim looks like what is called Hong Kong sea grass cordage, which is also an imported material.</p><p><br /></p><p>Although rattan has been imported for use in western basketry and furniture since the mid 19th century, it is very difficult to say where a rattan basket in this style would have been made. And while your basket has some stains on the bottom, there are not many obvious signs of age or long use.</p><p><br /></p><p>The handle would be described as wrapped, with a simple over-under decoration.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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