Italian Breadstick Basket
The Italian Breadstick Basket is both useful and a pleasure to admire. The vase shape, somewhat reminiscent of a jar form or urn, curves gracefully with its greatest width slightly above the middle. Two side handles twist about their axis as they arc up and away from the basket body. A lovely double wrap weave criss-crosses the rim of the basket.
The Italian Breadstick Basket was originally designed for use with thin Torinese style breadsticks.
Artist's Notes:
When Mr. Sam Aronson, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania wrote to me requesting a basket for the Torinese style, thin crisp breadsticks I had no idea what I was getting into. He gave me general guidelines for the size but the rest was up to me. I gave him a price and he said that it would do very bad damage to his wallet but go ahead.
Soon letters began to arrive with comments about breadsticks, cartoons about breadsticks, and - breadsticks. Cases of breadsticks. Plain breadsticks. Garlic breadsticks. Anise breadsticks. Thinner breadsticks. Thicker breadsticks. From Italy. This, I was given to know, was to inspire the creative spirit in the artist.
The Italian Breadstick Basket was the result. Years later I still had breadsticks. They are all gone now (at least I think they are - from time to time we would find a box of breadsticks tucked away somewhere back in the pantry), but I still have fond memories of Sam Aronson and designing a breadstick basket for him.
Collector's Comments
“What a pleasant surprise to arrive home on a beautiful Maine day & find your Italian Breadstick Basket waiting. Your craftsmanship is really extraordinary, from the way the handles are curled to the way the top edge is turned. We have a sizable collection of Maine Indian Baskets, sharing a table in our entry way.
“Yours is now sitting perpendicular to them as an accent & to emphasize your commitment to making brown ash baskets of unparalleled quality & craftsmanship.”
Michael M., Maine
“I am thrilled to have one of your basket in my collection! The breadstick basket that Barry ordered from you, for my birthday is beautiful! I admire your talent and look forward to adding more of your hand crafted works of art to my collection.”
Nancy M., Virginia
“We love the Italian Breadstick basket. It is resting comfortably on our mantelpiece basking in the admiration of all.”
L. & Marilyn S., New Jersey