1800s Picnic Basket Styles

Picnicking History

• The history of the picnic basket follows the progression of the historical term of picnicking, which was used originally to describe a dining experience held indoors, not outdoors, according to Susquehanna University. Therefore, picnic baskets that people use today -- and those that were needed in the later 1800s -- were not used during the historical period when picnicking, as depicted by Wordsworth, first began occurring in the middle of the 18th century. Picnics back then occurred in taverns or homes in London, consisting of social entertainment and the sharing of food products brought by each guest, so hampers were not as important.

Styles

• Once picnicking began to be done in outdoor settings, such as rural and picturesque spots -- and by more than the wealthy socialites -- picnic baskets were needed to store items to be eaten and the utensils needed to eat them. But these early basket styles were made in both wicker and tin containers and could be purchased containing a ready-made picnic meal and cutlery (and then returned afterward). Luxury hampers for the wealthier picnickers, such as those made by Fortnum and Mason, which were depicted by Charles Dickens, could be purchased of wicker material and could contain ready-made luxury foods decorated and requiring no cutting. Some baskets were a combination of wood and wicker and boasted intricate metal hinges, hook clasps and handles.

Significance

• 1800's picnic basket styles served two purposes: meeting the last-minute meal need of those traveling -- such as the tin and wicker baskets that could be returned on down the rail after consuming the meal -- and for leisurely family and romance dining times. Hence, wicker styles of a more ornate and elaborate nature, such as the Fortnum wicker baskets of the mid-1800s, differed from the wicker baskets that could be returned on train rides and sold to the general public.

Antique Baskets

• Some antique picnic baskets still exist today and can be found at flea markets, on eBay and elsewhere for sale. But don't expect to pay a few shillings for a basket and meal, as you could in the 1800s. Antique basket prices now reflect the demand of today's discerning picnicker and their penchant and nostalgia for old items, with some baskets, such as the antique French woven wicker and wood basket on eBay in August 2011 costing $95.