Vintage Fishing Creels
Creels have a long history, with references to fishermen's creels beginning in the 17th century with Robert Venable's creel shown in The Experienced Angler in 1661. Some of the earliest English creels from that time were solid copper, but the more familiar recent creels valued by collectors are woven baskets with leather hinges and reinforcements. Antique British creels from makers such as McPhearson, Hardy, and Farlow are highly prized by modern collectors.Creels were made of wicker, split willow, birch bark, and bamboo. Some of the baskets were woven by Native American tribes such as the Pima, others by Shakers and a handful of notable American basket makers including Nick Mousel of Yakima, Washington. Most of the baskets sought by collectors were actually made in Japan or China, imported to Oregon, and finished by leatherers such as George Lawrence Co., W.H. McMonies & Co., John Clark Saddelry, E.P. Peters Co., and many other lesser known leather shops.
Though the most popular are leather and woven pot bellied basket type creels, collectors are also interested in mid 20th century creels woven in checkerboard fashion from aluminum splints, and in creels like the canvas "Bur Tex" model with a sewn in screen bottom. Any of them can add to fishing decor or bring depth and character to an antique fishing diorama. Shop here to find vintage creels of all kinds on sale, with new opportunities to buy rare, old creels appearing every day.
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