Singular Double-Pocket Painted Hanging Wall Basket

American, probably Northeast, ca. mid-19th century.

Woodsplint, with sensational patinated dry original paint that appears as gray or sage, depending upon lighting. A rare sophisticated form solidly architected with two pockets or wells, the top of the back opened to permit hanging (perhaps the opening long ago widened).

May also rest on a horizontal surface if it can lean against a wall. This basket has a wall presence normally reserved for top-shelf painted wood wall boxes. Overall height about 16 ½ inches x 7 wide x 5 ¼ deep.

From a private collection, purchased years ago from Gail Piatt (Exeter, NH), who purchased it many years before that from the dealer Marion Szala (Hadley, Massachusetts).