Nice Painted Berry Basket    

Probably New England, ca. 19th century.
Woodsplint in original russet-red paint, with wrapped rim and carved side handles.
Typically we can only speculate on the period use of a basket, yet this one has berry stains on the interior, and the un-painted underside, so we know it was used in berry gathering. Terrific structural condition.

About 3 1/2 inches tall to the rim, 4 ¼ to handle tops, and diameter about 8 1/2 inches. A very good example.