The gathering basket

My third and final flea market find was THE Basket which has quite a story!

Allison was off with her friend at the time. Amber was walking with me and spotted this basket! And what a great eye she had/has!!! Of course, she asked if I wanted it. I don't really need a basket, but I immediately fell in love with this style. One can't have too many baskets, can they? *wink*

So I got Amber to ask the price so she could get some practice, you know.☺ There were two men at the booth, and the one she asked wasn't quite sure, but he ventured to guess and said $25.

"Hold on a bit till I ask my friend," he said. His friend was with another customer. He went on to say he thinks it came from a plantation and it is a hand woven white oak basket.

I was secretly only wanting to pay no more than $10, $15 at the most.

Friend was done talking with the customer. The man asked, "How much do you want for the basket?:

"What did you tell her?"

"Twenty-five."

"Not less than that."

Then I knew no bargaining would help. Friend went on to say he got it when cleaning out his aunt's house. Now which man is telling the truth? We didn't know. Friend whispered to the man that he was hoping to get $200!!! I knew/suspected I was on to a deal. Amber paid the $25 while I went to the next booth. I kinda felt bad to get it for that cheap.

Friend told Amber, "You did GOOD, real good."

Amber and I debated. Did we get a deal or not? Did the basket come from a plantation or from the aunt?

I immediately did an online search when I got home. I couldn't wait to find out. I now have no doubts that the white oak basket is worth $200.

It's just like the basket we saw on one of the previews of the West ladies' dvd.
It was perfect for harvesting fresh lettuce for our Sunday lunch.

The only thing asked of Amber. If I ever want to get rid of the basket, she wants it. Sounds like a deal to me.