Antique Nantucket Lightship Basket by A.J. Sandsbury
SKU:PHM261Rare Antique Nantucket Lightship Basket by Andrew Jackson Sandsbury (Nantucket: 1830-1902), circa 1880. Small open oval cane woven basket with rattan staves, slender carved swing handle with slight guitar-shaped ends mounted via brass rivets on round brass ears extending down a quarter length of their staves, hardwood oval bottom with original paper label inscribed "Made By A. J. Sandsbury, Aboard South Shoal Lightship. Sold By Mrs. G.R. Folger, 68 Pearl Street, Nantucket, Mass." Great condition, measures 3-½"H x 7-¾"L x 4-7/8"W.
Ex. estate of Paul & Diane Madden
Biography: Andrew Sandsbury (1830 – 1902) spent nearly his entire life at sea, first in the whaling trade and then stationed aboard the South Shoal Lightship from 1872 to 1892, the last 12 years as captain. During those 21 years he wove baskets alongside Thomas S. James and Davis Hall, both renowned as among the finest at the craft. Sandsbury retired from duty aboard the South Shoal Lightship after it was set adrift during a blizzard in March 1892 and then lay stranded off Martha's Vineyard for weeks, during which half his crew died of starvation. He then served as keeper of the Brandt Point Lighthouse from May 1892 to March 1898. Capt. Sandsbury is considered one of the best of the Nantucket basket makers
