Small round antique Nantucket Lightship Basket with a dark patina, Oak staves and shaped handle and ears.  The ears go straight through the bottom of the basket.  The base is made from Pine and has five scribe lines with two lathe turnings.  Both of these details are trademarks of Captain James' baskets.  Thomas James (1811-1885)  worked on a few whalers out on Nantucket until he became the captain of the South Shoal Lightship from 1872-1882.c.1880, 5 ¾” Diameter, 4” Height to rim, 7 ½” Overall height