Virginia Tooled Leather Key Basket

Mid-19th century, attributed to Richmond, dark stained stitched leather in an oblong form with tooled and putty-filled raised decoration with a heart motif at each end and scrolled decoration at each side, with a conforming scalloped top edge, rolled leather arched handle.

7 1/2 x 8 1/4 x 5 in.

Private Collection, Virginia

See MESDA Journal, May 1982, pp. 49-61, R. Lewis Wright, "Key Baskets", figs. 7, 8, and 11 for related examples.

With some age cracking near base of handle; expected wear to the interior, some losses to leather along top edge, some paint staining to exterior, overall good condition for age and use.


$1,000 - 2,000