Egg Basket

PeriodCirca 1920 - 1925

Place MadeIowa, U.S.A.

MediumPine, maple, oak; steel, iron; cardboard

Dimensions17.88 × 14 × 13.75 in. (45.4 × 35.6 × 34.9 cm)

SignedStamped on the upper rim band "Hawkeye / Dura-Built / Nutum, Iowa / Patent Pending." Pressed cardboard trays include the stamped "Holed - tight Packing pat 9-12-22 / Mfd. By Mapes Cont. Mfg. Co. Licensee / K/8/1/J."

ClassificationsAgricultural T&E

Credit LineGift of George H. Moss, Jr., 2004

Object number2004.6.1

DescriptionAn egg basket, consisting of a square-sided container of 2" wide maple splints in simple diagonal set basketweave pattern, with 1 1/8" top and 3/4" bottom shaped oak rim bands, with iron nail construction. A pair of shaped steamed oak carrying handles attach to the top rim of the basket with steel nails and iron washers, allowing handles to fold down for lid access. The attached lid of straight woven splints set into an oak frame, with rounded edges, opens to reveal the four original cardboard honeycomb spacers and five pressed cardboard egg trays, totalling 36 spaces or compartments for eggs. When the cardboard spacers and trays are removed, the interior of the basket reveals the original coloration of natural wood tone alternating with dyed red maple splints.
NotesMonmouth County was recognized for the high quality of its poultry industry, including egg production. Many egg farms were located in the western portion of the county. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Jewish immigrants were encouraged and assisted by the Jewish Relief Society to start poultry farming. Many relocated from New York City to the wide green fields of Monmouth County, embracing a rural lifestyle. After World War II, many displaced Jewish refugees made the same journey, starting up successful poultry farms near and to the west of Freehold. This egg basket, with its molded cardboard trays and spacers, would have been used to carry eggs to markets.

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