Picnic Basket
Needle Case
Design Representation
Design Details
Needle Case Type: |
Figural |
Patent/Registered to: |
Buncher & Haseler - Birmingham |
Patent/Design Representation #: |
Ornamental Class1: Metal: #290854 |
Patent/Design Registration Date: |
April 23, 1875 |
Location of Patent/Design Registration: |
The National Archives (TNA) - Kew, UK |
Reference #: |
TNA Representation - BT 43/38/290854
TNA Register - BT 44/3/290854 |
Dimensions: |
6 x 4.8 x 4.5 |
Material: |
Brass |
Name Variations: |
a) W. Avery & Son – Redditch
b) Alex. Arkell - London
c) Asser & Sherwin - London
d) Baggallays, Westall & Spence
e) W. Whiteley – Westbourne Grove (the sole source of this information is Horowitz and Mann as no example of this needle case
with this company name has been seen by the authors of this website) |
Other Variations: |
None |
Additional Photographs
Side views
Top open and top detail
Bottom and Avery signature detail
Bottom side view and Alex Arkell signature detail (photos courtesy of Rita Reeves).
Baggallays, Westall & Spence signature detail (photo from eBay) and Asser & Sherwin signature detail (photo from eBay seller lylewi_9)
Facts
A picnic basket is a container used to carry food, dishes and eating utensils to a picnic or meal that is served outdoors, usually on the
ground, for a group of family or friends. They come in many different shapes and sizes depending upon the number of people and amount
of food involved. During the Victorian period large wicker baskets included sections for dishes, silverware, drinking vessels and
containers to hold food. Woven baskets that resembled trunks where often used because they were light weight and sturdy which is
probably the origin of the name “picnic hamper”. Today picnics are often simple affairs with food spread out on the red and white
checkerboard cloth like the one shown below.
History
Although the word picnic didn’t come into common use until 1740, picnics date back to at least the Middle Ages where they were the feasts
held at the conclusion of a medieval hunt. They became more common in the 18th century among the wealthy or upper class and were often
depicted by artists. The painting below portrays an 18th century picnic. Select the photo to see a larger version of this artwork.
Miscellaneous
Picnics became all the rage in Victorian England partly because people wanted to emulate Queen Victoria who frequently picnicked with her
family on her many estates. Another reason for its popularity was the picnic provided a more informal way to get together in a society
that was heavily dominated by rules of etiquette. The painting below portrays a Victorian period picnic. Select the photo to see a
larger version of this artwork.
