March 20, 2019 3 min read 18 Comments
Antique baskets are not only beautifully decorative
they instantly add texture and warmth to your home
and garden.
Not just a pretty face, they are hard-working, multi-taskers that are just as practical
today as when they were first woven.
I use antique baskets all over our home and garden at FrenchGardenHouse.
Mr. FGH thinks I've never met an antique basket I didn't love
and he's right!
In this post I'll share a little of their history
and also how to care for and clean antique baskets.
Antique baskets add so much charm to your French Country home!
HOW DO YOU USE ANTIQUE BASKETS IN YOUR DECOR?
July 05, 2022
I really appreciate your advice! We have some old baskets from the hills of Tenn.I have been periodically lightly rinsing with water and drying out of the sun. Is it helpful to preserve by wiping gently with a good oil…..like teak oil?
May 17, 2021
How lovely your posts are and thank you.
Can you suggest a good book on Antique baskets that shows examples and identifies them ?
March 26, 2019
I love baskets and all the beauty that comes with each one. I add greens, books, cookie cutters, pictures . It is endless the ways we can use them. I have even woven quite a few . You have shown some beauties.
linda m
March 21, 2019
Who doesn’t love a great basket? I tend to fill my baskets with artificial foliage or flowers, soaps and hand towels. I am more of a decorator than a person who uses them for storage or some sort of task. love the tips for cleaning, great vacuum cleaner idea.
Thanks, Denise
March 21, 2019
Thanks for sharing how to care for antique baskets. I have some ,and never really knew the proper way to care for them.
Much appreciated. I love receiving all your post. Happy spring Lidy
Rita
March 20, 2019
These are so beautiful! We used to have several baskets, some were of the older variety, but we have let most of them go during our minimizing journey. We did keep some that meant the most, and we truly treasure them! Thank you for this wonderful post and for all of the helpful information you shared! Happy Spring, Lidy!
March 20, 2019
I love your basket post Lidy. So much good information, and I am a huge basket fan too. Recently I went to my first miniature store and the bottom shelf of every selling area had tons of small baskets so you could easily pick one up and start filling it with the miniatures you wanted to purchase. Such a cute idea and so practical, as baskets can be.
March 20, 2019
This post is so lovely Lidy! Your photos of your baskets are beautiful! I love baskets to gather flowers in too and have so many more than I need, but like you, have yet to see a lovely woven basket that I don’t love. I am so glad you included the cleaning tips too. Mine are all in need of a good cleaning!
sending love…
March 20, 2019
Thank you for this! Your baskets are beautiful!
I am also a basket lover/collector: a few antiques, some handcrafted, some simply useful. I wrote a post some time ago about my seagrass baskets. (They are especially precious because they’re a true handcraft, passed down.) I’ve been preparing another post about baskets because it is Easter basket season, right?
Have a great day!
March 20, 2019
Shirley, Happy Spring sweet friend! I love all baskets, especially the older ones. The work and skill that went into making them is really amazing.
March 20, 2019
Vicky, yes, it’s an antique if it’s that old. How fortunate you are to have your grandmother’s basket, a treasure for sure.
March 20, 2019
Tammy, I agree! And not only are the prettier, they do such a great job of corralling things at home, don’t they?
March 20, 2019
Baskets are so much prettier than paper or plastic lol. I don’t have any antique baskets, but I do use baskets for different things eg magazines, books, throws etc. Thanks for the beautiful and informative post. Take care!
March 20, 2019
Theresa, I envy you your low country seagrass baskets, this is a dying art, unfortunately! With good care, they should be beautifully preserved by you for future genertions. I know you are enjoying your collection!
March 20, 2019
I too love baskets and enjoyed seeing yours and reading your good info on caring for them. I have a couple of my grandmothers baskets and love them! Miniatures are my favorite and I have found some really nice ones at Flea mkts.
I also have a small collection of low country seagrass baskets which are very special as this is somewhat of a dying art.
Thank you Lidy and have a lovely day!
March 20, 2019
Lidy, I have a basket that belonged to my grandmother. How can I tell if it’s a “real” antique? I would guess that it’s between 80 and 100 years old…maybe older. Maybe it already qualifies as an antique. Thank you so much for the very helpful information on caring for it!
March 20, 2019
I so love a great antique basket. Your FGH collection is magnificent. As always, thank you for the information and history of baskets. Always a joy to come away reading your posts with such beauty and information! My fav is the basket on the pretty garden bench! Happy Spring Lidy!!!
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Lidy
July 05, 2022
Geri, getting your antique baskets wet with water can make parts pop out of place, and it risks removing some of the patina you treasure, so I advise you just lightly brush the baskets with a soft brush, or a paint brush. Some experts say to gently mist your willow baskets once in a while {not super wet} and some recommend gently wiping with linseed oil, but not olive oil or something like that.