BASKET, an utensil made of twigs interwoven together, in order to hold fruit, earth, &c. As a measure, it denotes an uncertain quantity; as, a basket of medlars is two bushels, of asafetida from 20 to 50 pound weight. The ancient Britons were noted for their ingenuity in making baskets, which they exported in large quantities. These baskets were of very elegant workmanship, and bore a high price; and are mentioned by Juvenal among the extravagant expensive furniture of the Roman tables in his time.
Addit et bascaudas et mille escaria.
Add baskets, and a thousand other dishes.
That these baskets were manufactured in Britain, we learn from the following epigram of Martial:
Barbara de piscis veni bascauda Britannis,
Sed me jam macult dicere Roma juam.
A basket I, by painted Britons wrought,
And now to Rome's imperial city brought.