S-074 Olympia Edelraffiabast-Kassette (A
Woven Reed Basket Case)
This unique novelty item was likely sold as souvenir during
the 1936 Olympics. An ethnic motif, apparently, was the basis for this
brown, red and yellow storage basket woven from raffia (a reed-like plant from
Madagascar). The basket side view is somehow reminiscent of a wheel drum; the
lids outer edge is an octagon. Set into the flat lid top is a hexagonally
shaped, dark-toned bronze plate showing a bell; the bell side has an eagle
holding Olympic rings; the date 1936 and around the bottom rim of the bell is
the inscription “Ich rufe die Jugend der Welt” (“I call the World’s
Youth”). The basket is empty, but was probably intended to hold spools of
sewing thread, etc. The reed strands have some light fraying, with a few split
ends frizzing here and there; there is also some fading to the red color, but
the basket is otherwise complete and without any other damage. The original
label is still pasted on the wooden base, naming the item and noting that it is
patent protected and a product of the Bavarian Ostmark. Very interesting Olympic
period novelty right out of my collection!
$390.00
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Item S-074
