A rare 19th c collection basket in original surface.
The maker of this basket was well adept in his skill craft of basketry. The utilization of white oak was employed due to its riving ability to attain narrow delicate splints, flexibility in thin splints, and strength.
When properly studied and dissected, the original process of construction is beholding. A straight grained and carefully chosen section of white oak is utilized for its handle and is cleverly accepting of its woven head, a meeting point of organic forrestry and human utilization of nature. Three sections of the handle act as skeletal support for the head and are secured with small iron nails and woven intertwined. A single iron nail is bored through the handle where sectioning begins and acts as preventive measuring of further splitting.
A plaited pattern is used in the weaving structure utilizing thinly rived oak splints woven over hand carved ribs acting as its stanners. The rim rib follows suit and is secured using a lap joint with tapered ends. 
Collections baskets are few in numbers due to limited manufacture. Only one or two were used in a parish and are generally more crude in their manufacture. This fine example showcases a high degree of competence, effort, and skill compared against other surviving examples and is the finest I have personally seen for quality and size. 
A choice example of basketry representing utilitarian necessities of southern American craft. Provenance: From the collection of Carol Schulman
Shenandoah Valley. Ca. 1890. 36"L