Longaberger Small Fruit Basket Value Guide

The Longaberger Small Fruit Basket is a quintessential piece of Americana, hand-woven from hardwood maple in Dresden, Ohio. Its unique square-to-round profile and fixed handle design represent the peak of the company's artisanal craftsmanship during the 1980s and 90s.

What Is Longaberger Small Fruit Basket Worth?

The typical price range for Longaberger Small Fruit Basket is $15 - $25 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Condition of the maple splints, specifically looking for any cracking, staining, or broken weavers.
• The presence of the original weaver's signature and date stamp, which is highly prized by Longaberger enthusiasts.
• Overall patina and color of the wood, with honey-toned aging often preferred over sun-bleached examples.
• Inclusion of original accessories such as plastic liners or fabric protectors which can slightly increase the $15-$25 price point.

How to Identify Longaberger Small Fruit Basket?

• Check the bottom of the basket for the weaver's initials and the specific year of production burned into the wood.
• Verify the presence of brass fasteners used to secure the single fixed handle to the maple splints.
• Look for the characteristic square base that transitions smoothly into a circular rim, a hallmark of this specific fruit basket style.
• Inspect the weave for consistent, high-quality hardwood maple strips typical of pre-1995 manufacturing.

History of Longaberger Small Fruit Basket

Founded in 1973 by Dave Longaberger in Dresden, Ohio, the Longaberger Company became an American icon of artisanal craftsmanship. Each basket was traditionally signed and dated by the weaver on the bottom, a practice that helped create a massive collectors market during the late 20th century. This specific style was commonly used for gathering small produce or as a decorative kitchen accent.