This is a handwoven basket with a handle, made from willow bark.

The maker is Benjamin, a basket weaver currently living in Germany. Born and raised in France, he learned the craft from his father, who is also a basket maker, and inherited traditional French basketry techniques.

This form is a traditional basket shape often seen in France, particularly in the western regions.

According to Benjamin, until about two generations ago, farming families in western France—known locally as “Paysans”—used to make several of these finely crafted, practical baskets themselves every winter during the off-farming season.

Such baskets, carefully made over time, were originally used as “potato baskets” to store harvested potatoes.

Willow, a common material in Europe, is used together with hazel in this basket.

Its nuts are known as “hazelnuts,” and hazel itself is a deciduous shrub belonging to the birch family.

In the United Kingdom, hazel is one of the most common shrubs and has long been used as a renewable material for roofing, woven fences, boats, and walking sticks—an essential part of daily life.

In the photo, the small branches on the left are hazel. Benjamin gathers only the amount he needs from naturally growing hedgerows.

He says he likes the condition of hazel in winter the most, and always chooses fresh and healthy branches for his work.

Hazel is easy to split and twist, strong yet light—an ideal material for basketry.

Depending on the availability of materials, European chestnut, common dogwood, or alder buckthorn may also be used.

Here, we introduce this traditionally shaped basket—
found mainly in the rural areas of western France—under the name “Outdoor Basket.”

From the straight rim, the basket opens outward in a gentle curve,
creating a graceful, radiating form—crisp yet warm and softly embracing.

It also serves beautifully indoors as a storage basket.

When using it for blankets, clothing, or other fabrics,
we recommend lining the inside with a piece of cloth to prevent snagging.

The calm, deep green gradation of the willow blends naturally with any interior or outfit.

Despite its fine weave, this traditional French basket combines beauty with strength—
yet such baskets are now rarely made even in France.

On another page, we also introduce the “Wild,”
a basket Benjamin created with the idea of making something more approachable for everyday use.
– Outdoor Basket “Wild” (640205-1)

Compared with this traditional “Fine,”
the “Wild” uses fewer processed materials and fewer weaving steps,
resulting in a simpler, more rustic expression.

This basket carries with it the spirit of the farming life once lived in France—
and even today, it continues to support our lives with its honest, enduring craftsmanship.

Benjamin’s Basket Weaving

Before becoming a basket maker,
Benjamin worked in fields such as biology, environmental studies, social work, and photography.
Over time, however, he found himself weary of the fast-paced urban lifestyle.

Seeking a more meaningful way of living and working, he chose to devote himself to basket weaving.

“I love the simple feeling of touching wood, going out into nature, collecting hazel,
and working with my hands,” he says.

“Baskets are used every day to carry and store things.
Being able to make such objects—not by machine, but from renewable, local materials—
gives me a sense of independence.”

He says his goal in basket making is always to reach perfection—
a goal that can never truly be attained, which is precisely why it continues to inspire him.
The baskets he creates are all of exceptional quality, beautifully shaped, and built to last.

Please note:
This item ships from Japan.
As the buyer, you are responsible for any import duties, customs fees, or local taxes that may be charged in your country.
These costs are not included in the item price or shipping cost.
Please check with your local customs authority if you are unsure about any potential charges before placing your order.