Antique French Train Basket from the South of France. Decorative and useful baskets like this were taken by ladies on the train, hence the name "platform basket", to hold their luncheon and a few other necessities for a trip on the train. {Their suitcase would have been loaded on the train by the porter.}
The 19th century basket has wear and the grace of time as shown. The leather has worn on the handles, and parts of the strapping is gone. That woven wicker treasures like this survived at all is a rare miracle. A storied find for your collection of antique country baskets.
