Ciseog

A traditional Irish Heritage basket. Once used for straining and serving the potatoes, the basket could be made as large as the family needed, each member of the family sat around the dish, took a potato, dipped it into the butter placed in the centre, and ate. The basket was then rinsed clean and hung beside the fire to dry, becoming an integral part of the family’s furniture. 

Each region of Ireland has its own design marking its origin. This one being the Joyce country Ciseog, shown by its centre windows. Each piece has variable colouring and is totally unique. Handwoven by Diane who grows many different varieties of willow at her home in Ardfert, County Kerry. The small Ciseog is ideal as a fruit or veg basket, while the larger size looks great mounted on the wall. 

Dimensions: The small ciseog measures 29.5cm in diameter x 5.5cm deep. The large ciseog measures 44cm in diamater x 6.5cm deep

Diane has been a Basketmaker for over 20 years, she was first drawn to the many uses and environmental aspect of willow and its history in Ireland whilst studying Permaculture, and is a qualified teacher and design diploma holder.

Her love of the practical and beautiful has inspired her to create many types of baskets including many Irish Heritage baskets from the past as well as developing more contemporary pieces.

As well as developing her basketry business she teaches others this skill with workshops and is in collaboration with schools throughout Ireland to inspire others into the wonders of willow.

Willow is a yearly crop which Diane harvests herself, without the use of any chemicals or machinery, and all waste cuts can be composted and returned back to the E arth. The crop continues to grow every year with very little interference, and if left alone the willow beds would turn into a little woodland. Willow sequesters large volumes of carbon whilst growing, and is then cut, dried and woven into baskets to last for generations, so a Saille Basket could be considered a carbon offset purchase - good for the Earth, and for us all.

Willow varieties produce a wonderful range of natural colours and shapes and sizes of rods. The different varieties offer endless possibilities to produce beautiful work, making use of the colour from shades of green, brown, beige and warm umbers.