Witness wacky wicker wonders beyond your wildest dreams at ESSE Purse Museum! Stay tuned for our next exhibit, Basket Cases, which will feature a portion of our owner’s unique collection of wicker baskets and purses. Rather than focusing on the history of basketmaking or their functions over time, this exhibit aims to celebrate this ancient art by highlighting its diversity. This temporary exhibit opens on Tuesday, June 21 and runs through Sunday, September 25.

The word ‘wicker’ comes from Scandinavian origin, wika, meaning “to bend” and vikker, meaning ‘willow’ in Swedish. Did you know wicker is actually a weaving process, not a material? It is traditionally made from natural materials, including vines, branches, reeds, grasses, and other plants. For centuries, humans have been using this versatile craft to weave functionality into fashion.

Nearly every ancient culture has traces of basketmaking woven through their history. Archaeologists have discovered remnants of well-preserved baskets from as early as 4000 BC. Baskets were originally intended to be used as multi-purpose vessels to carry, store, and preserve loose items. Over time, their functions evolved to include being used in cooking, hunting, storage, as well as ornamentally.