{"title":"Sherwin Porter Boyer (1907–1964)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0092\/1046\/2305\/files\/Screenshot_2026-09-14_140524.png?v=1789409169\" alt=\"\" width=\"242\" height=\"239\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSherwin Porter Boyer was born in 1907 and spent his working life on Nantucket, Massachusetts, making the island's distinctive lightship baskets. Boyer belonged to the first generation of Nantucket basket makers working in the \"purse\" period, which began in the late 1940s and continued until his death in 1964, making him a contemporary of the equally celebrated maker José Formoso Reyes. This \"purse\" period marked a shift from the utilitarian oval and round baskets carried by 19th-century sailors and islanders toward lidded, handled basket-purses that became fashionable accessories for Nantucket's summer residents. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoyer made his baskets in a small shop on Federal Street, in the back of a building across from St. Mary's church. There he produced the tightly woven oak-stave baskets that carry his mark. He is regarded as one of the finest makers of this form of Nantucket basket, and his work remains highly sought after by collectors today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoyer's baskets are typically identified by a round maker's stamp and a printed paper label on the underside bearing a verse handed down from fellow basket maker Clinton \"Mitchy\" Ray: a rhyme assuring the owner the basket was sturdy and made to last, signed \"by S.P. Boyer.\" He often paired with carver Charlie Sayle, who is credited with first suggesting that carved wooden ornaments — such as whales, gulls, and other decorative figures — be mounted to the lids of friendship baskets, a decorative tradition Boyer's purses helped popularize. \u003cbr\u003eBoyer died in 1964, but his baskets remain prized in the antiques, folk-art, and fashion accessories market. He is remembered today as part of the small circle of craftsmen — alongside José Reyes, Stanley Roop, and others — who carried the Nantucket lightship basket tradition through the mid-20th century and helped shape it into the collectible art form it is now.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaul Madden Antiques is actively seeking baskets made by Sherwin Boyer. Please contact us for a complimentary evaluation of your basket.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"channacobaby","title":"Choice antique Nantucket covered basket by Boyer","description":"\u003cp\u003eA choice antique Nantucket covered handbag basket by S. Boyer circa 1950's. Beautiful proportions, lovely patina and great untouched condition. Signed with paper label and brand. Handsome carved sperm whale on exotic wood cover. Size: 8.5 inches - ivory knob to ivory knob.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Paul Madden Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40820467662945,"sku":"pmadonmc1","price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0092\/1046\/2305\/products\/choice-antique-nantucket-covered-basket-by-boyer-13.jpg?v=1683147741"},{"product_id":"chnantulibab","title":"Choice Nantucket Lightship Basket BOYER","description":"\u003cp\u003eChoice vintage Nantucket Lightship Basket made by S.P. BOYER circa 1950's. Excellent condition with deep rich patina. Maker's mark on the bottom with the charming poem. Size: 8 inches wide ivory knob to ivory knob. Sorry, SOLD\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Paul Madden Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40820478214241,"sku":"pmasuepotnbk","price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0092\/1046\/2305\/products\/choice-nantucket-lightship-basket-boyer-14.png?v=1691987266"},{"product_id":"raonaliba","title":"Rare \"ONE-EGG\"  Nantucket Lightship Basket","description":"\u003cp\u003eA rare \"ONE-EGG\" Nantucket Lightship swing-handle Basket made and signed on the bottom \"BOYER, Nantucket, Mass.\" Excellent perfect condition with dark patina. Made circa 1940-50's. Size: 3 inches diameter. Sorry, Sold.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Paul Madden Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40820610269281,"sku":"raonaliba","price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0092\/1046\/2305\/products\/rare-one-egg-nantucket-lightship-basket-13.jpg?v=1683164259"},{"product_id":"vinabapubysh","title":"Vintage Nantucket Basket Purse by Sherwin Boyer","description":"\u003cp\u003eVintage Nantucket Lightship Basket Purse by Sherwin Boyer circa 1955. Carved Sperm Whale ornament, knobs, and peg latch. Great aged dark patina and condition. Measures 7-1\/2\" x 6\" oval by 6-1\/4\" tall.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSOLD\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Paul Madden Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40820766933089,"sku":"PMATHB47","price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0092\/1046\/2305\/files\/vintage-nantucket-basket-purse-by-sherwin-boyer-101.png?v=1692004909"},{"product_id":"vinabapubysh1","title":"Vintage Nantucket Basket Purse by Sherwin Boyer","description":"\u003cp\u003eVintage 7\" oval Nantucket basket purse marked Boyer (Sherwin P. Boyer 1907-1964). Nice small size featuring a carved Sperm whale, knobs, and peg. Wonderful dark patina. Great condition. Measures 8-1\/2\" wide by 6-1\/2\" deep by 6-3\/4\" high overall.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSOLD\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Paul Madden Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40820766965857,"sku":"BFBOYER","price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0092\/1046\/2305\/files\/vintage-nantucket-basket-purse-by-sherwin-boyer-100.png?v=1692004953"},{"product_id":"vinalibapuby17","title":"Vintage Nantucket Lightship Basket Purse by Sherwin Boyer","description":"\u003cp\u003eVintage Nantucket Lightship basket purse by Sherwin Boyer (1907 - 1964) circa 1955. Small 7-1\/2\" oval basket size is perfect for all your essentials; phone, lipstick, and car keys. Classic Sperm Whale carving on mahogany top with carved knobs and peg. Great patina and overall condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSOLD\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWe have been dealing in Nantucket Lightship Baskets since we moved to Nantucket in 1967. Over the last 50 years we have sold well over 2000 Lightship baskets! Please contact us for friendly, expert advice. We also offer repair services for your Nantucket Lightship Basket. Broken hinges, missing weavers, replacing carved ornaments are just a few of the repairs we can perform.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Paul Madden Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40820776468577,"sku":"PMASANBK","price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0092\/1046\/2305\/products\/vintage-nantucket-lightship-basket-purse-by-sherwin-boyer-29.jpg?v=1683172845"},{"product_id":"vintage-nantucket-basket-purse-by-sherwin-boyer","title":"Vintage Nantucket Basket Purse by Sherwin Boyer","description":"\u003cp\u003eVintage Nantucket Basket purse by Sherwin Boyer (1907 - 1964) circa 1960. Small 7\" by 5-1\/2\" oval basket size is perfect for all your essentials; phone, keys, ect. Classic Charles Sayle Sperm Whale carving on mahogany top with carved knobs and peg. Great rich patina and overall condition. Measures 9\" wide by 6-3\/4\" deep by 7\" high overall.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Paul Madden Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41901905051745,"sku":"PMAV241108","price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0092\/1046\/2305\/files\/IMG_4224.png?v=1731968115"},{"product_id":"vintage-nantucket-basket-purse-by-sherwin-p-boyer","title":"Vintage Nantucket Basket Purse by Sherwin P. Boyer","description":"\u003cp\u003eVintage Nantucket Basket Purse by Sherwin P. Boyer (1907-1964) circa 1960. Classic oval form built on a 9\" x 6-1\/2\" mold. Features a Charles Sayle carved sperm whale ornament, knobs, and peg. Nice dark patina. Evidence of professional repairs to hinges and clasp. Measures 10-3\/4\" wide by 7-1\/4\" deep by 8\" tall overall.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Paul Madden Antiques","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45048874631265,"sku":"PMA32231","price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0092\/1046\/2305\/files\/20260526-IMG_1455.png?v=1779821638"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.paulmaddenantiques.com\/collections\/sherwin-porter-boyer-1907-1964.oembed","provider":"Paul Madden Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}