I have a special basket made in Africa that holds some of my garden picture books. "Shakespeare's Gardens" is a favorite book. The first photo shows the gardens and the birthplace and childhood home of Shakespeare. Decades ago my hubby and I toured Stratford-upon-Avon, saw a play in the old theater and visited a few homes related to The Bard. Shakespeare lived and worked there for most of his 52 years. The book is written by Jackie Bennett with photographs by Andrew Lawson.
In reading this book I was stunned and saddened to learn that Shakespeare's grand and final home "New Place" was torn down in 1759 because the current owner couldn't stand the sight seers and because of some sort of legal squabble. All that remains is the handsome gardens. Towns people were outraged when New Place was demolished and hounded the man out of town. That is a harsh loss to the world of literature and gardens and admirers of Shakespeare. Shakespeare wrote 20 plays during his time as owner of New Place.
25 comments:
Those baskets are beautiful. I like any type of container to organize things.
Your baskets are beautiful. That's a shame about Shakespeare's home. That would never happen today with all of the historical foundations.
Blessings,
Betsy
They are lovely and useful. Good idea.
What a horrid thing to happen to that home! Did he not know that Shakespear owned that lived there?
Yes I have several of those baskets I bought them in a health food store so not sure if they are really from Africa, but I do love the style and colors. I have several sizes for several purposes.
Cathy
You can get Gullah woven sweetgrass baskets in the Charleston marketplace. The price is very dear, though. I think ladies still sit in the sun, weaving them before your eyes.
Those baskets are really pretty! I have to woven shopping bags from Africa, made by women who were rescued from the sex trade industry and sell the bags to make money.
That is so sad about Shakespears home!
Lovely baskets! I like baskets in general, and african styles in particular.
Good looking basket, and no I don't have one and don't know of anyone who has one unfortunately.
Hi Terra - I had lots of African baskets which I brought back to the UK ... they are stunning and you've made good use of yours. We have to consider those times ... ie in the 1600s - at least the Shakespeare Society have made good use of the foundations and kept the garden as it would have looked in those times. The plot could have been built over ... thankfully not. Cheers Hilary
I like baskets and have several around my flat (in different sizes). None of them are of this African kind though. I have big wicker basket where I collect newspapers etc for recycling; and various smaller wooden chip baskets for this and that. (Painting/decorating such baskets was kind of a hobby of mine for a while - long time ago now).
The baskets are lovey. I love baskets, and have many, but none from Africa. They are so useful for many things.
Enjoyed the history of Shakespeare.
Lovely baskets. Thank you for visiting my Blog.
God bless.
Those baskets are just lovely!
Have a beautiful Sunday :)
Titti
Those baskets are great, and love the colors. My sister used to live half an hour from Stratford-on-Avon. I remember these places well but never went to see a play, that must have been wonderful! Lovely post!
Hi Terra: Love your baskets, we have a friend from Tanzania in Africa, who is a catholic Priest, he come every two years, he is amazing, he always brings gifts, I have a beautiful dress and Mike has a lovely shirt, plus all the beads and other items he brings.
I am sad that some people would be so horrible to take down a piece of history, shame on him.
Catherine🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷
I don't own any of those type of baskets but they look very colourful. Its a shame that a silly squabble led to a piece of history being destroyed. At least the gardens have been restored and protected for future generations.
So nice. I love the basket.
Those are lovely baskets.
Lovely baskets! We toured there in 1984, was amazed by the sense of history.
It is sad that historic houses of note are destroyed. I'm surprised there was not a preservation order in place.
Hand made is rarer and rarer!
Thankyou for your comment on my blog 🙂
Those baskets are beautiful, such skilled work.
I think that I saw an archaeological programme last year about a dig that took place in Shakespeare's garden.
Did you know that in one letter he wrote, he spelt his name in five different ways?! Of course it was how it sounds that was important.
I love each of these wonderful handmade African baskets! I also have one of this fine works, made from of good hoping hands.
A beautiful garden is a glimpse of the light of paradise.
Many greetings from Dori from the Bavarian Forest
Love those flowers
No, Shakespeare lived and worked mainly in London, I think - though not much is known about his life really. He did return to Stratford from time to time.
I have a similar basket, though in browns and blues. No idea where it was made, but I use it for sewing things.
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