A late 19th c. splint woven gathering basket in old blue over a deep green original paint. 
Constructed from ash wood throughout with a continuous ring handle, riven and shaved flat and mated with an identical continuous ring forming its rim. 
As of typicam Shenandoah valley construction, a series of shaved splint ribs are woven into its body against thin and delicate weavers. An additional shaved rib atop the rim provides action as a bumper preventing broken weavers along the rim. A plaited one over three pattern adorns the base of the handle providing transitional support and additional decoration. 
Survives in excellent condition with a very old loss to one weaver and is consisten with age, use, and structural fragility. The paint surface remains dry and of quality with variations in hue in its pigment from oxidation and contains anomalies being consistent with non commercial paints. 
Vibrancy, color, curvilinear form and size all speak to the quality and artistic presence.
Shenandoah Valley origin. Ca. 1890. 13"W x 11"T.