Varney Carved Nut Baskets
The carved nut baskets are made from acorns, walnuts and chestnuts, carefully carved into tiny baskets. A few have semiprecious stones attached and all are finished with a shiny coat of shellac. They were hand made by Deke Varney. The talent and skill to make each basket is even more incredible when you know that Mr. Varney only had one arm to carve with.
The baskets won two awards at the October 1916 West Milton community fair, a large, local event that pulled participants and the general public from most of the surrounding communities. It was the second West Milton community fair.
The baskets, a photo of Mr. Varney, and both awards in our collection.
FHS-Kyle Leach
Deke Varney
Circa 1916
Rattlesnake Skin Table Runner
A Rattlesnake skin table runner. The species of snake is unknown. The reptile has been mounted on two scalloped felt runners that are only slightly larger than each other, and the smallest only slightly bigger than the snakeskin. Photos show a long view of the skin, a close-up, and two photos of the scales.
Size: 63.5" L x 9.75 W Rattle 1.5" L x .75 W
Condition. Good
FHS-Kyle Leach