A French woven wicker-covered glass demijohn (dame-jeanne), encased in a hand-woven basketry mantle of alternating peeled cream and unpeeled dark brown willow osiers. The bottle displays a two-tone diagonal spiraled pattern, twin twisted wicker loop handles flanking the shoulder, and a spiral-woven foot rim base.

Beneath the woven collar surrounding the glass neck, fragments of vintage French newsprint packing are visible, serving as insulating material, topped with a fitted cork stopper.

Condition Report & Provenance

• Object Type: Wicker-wrapped demijohn bottle
• Material / Technique: Molded glass, hand-woven peeled and unpeeled willow wicker, paper insulation, cork stopper
• Period: Early 20th Century (1900s–1940s)
• Origin: France
• Markings: Printed French newsprint fragments visible around inner neck casing
• Decorative Details: Two-tone spiraled willow weave, twisted wicker loop handles
• Condition: Good vintage condition overall; minor natural age dryness and light surface rubbing to wicker strands, glass rim and cork intact

History

Wicker-encased glass carboys and demijohns (historically referred to in France as dames-jeannes) were widely used across rural Europe to store, transport, and ferment wine, spirits, oil, and cider. The woven wicker casing shielded the fragile glass vessel from physical impact during transit while providing thermal insulation and protection from UV light exposure.