Nantucket Lightship Basket Sold At Auction In Ohio Connects Buyer With Original Maker, Now In Thailand

More than 800 miles away from Nantucket, a basket woven in 1982 resurfaced at an Ohio auction, which set off a chain of events that would reconnect its maker with a basket created more than four decades ago.

Last month, Ohio resident Lynn Hursey attended a local auction. Immediately, an authentic lightship basket signed by renowned basket maker Chin Manasmontri caught her attention.

"For many years, I have followed individuals on Instagram who either live on Nantucket or in the New England area," Hursey said. "Occasionally, I notice a lightship basket in the background of a photo or see someone carrying one. I've always thought they were beautiful."

When Hursey noticed the bag at an auction, she decided to take a chance.

"My mother always collected antiques and taught me to look for signed and dated pieces," she explained. "When I noticed that the basket was signed by Chin Manasmontri and dated, I felt that there was a chance it would be authentic."

She was able to purchase the basket for $226.

Although Hursey admitted she knew little about the history of the Nantucket lightship baskets at the time, she was intrigued by the details. The basket contained a 1982 penny matching the date inscribed and featured scrimshaw artwork by Florida artist Tom Mullen.

Once purchased, Hursey posted photographs of the basket in the Ask Nantucket Facebook group, hoping to find answers about its origin. What happened next surprised everyone.

Among hundreds of comments was one from Chin himself.

"Hello, this is Chin Manasmontri," he wrote in the thread. "I am retired now and living in the east part of Thailand by the Cambodia border. I am so pleased you own one basket I made."

Hursey explained how a response like this was completely unexpected.

"I was shocked and excited when I noticed that Chin responded to the post I made," she said. "I never expected that the maker of the basket would see the post and respond personally."

The post quickly gained more traction after the interaction, generating more than 1,200 reactions and over 350 comments as Nantucket residents and collectors shared photographs and stories about their own baskets.

"One of the most meaningful parts of this experience has been seeing the response from the community," Hursey said. "What seemed like a small purchase turned into something much bigger. It ultimately brought people together through shared memories, an appreciation for craftsmanship, and admiration for Chin's work."

Now, being retired and living in Thailand, Manasmontri was equally as surprised to see one of his creations resurface like this a few decades later.

"My reaction to Grace's Facebook post got me lots of excitement,” he said. "I could not wait to respond when I saw it." (Lynn Hursey uses the name Grace on Facebook.)

Chin Manasmontri’s journey began on Nantucket in 1975 when he worked as a houseboy for Robin and Ann Harbach at 141 Main Street. One day, Mrs. Harbach offered him the opportunity to go to a basket-making class she had already paid for.

"There were 11 students in the class," Manasmontri recalled. "I was one and the youngest male. The rest were old ladies."

Mansamontri recalled how, while his classmates discussed their health issues, he focused on weaving. He was able to complete his first basket in just three weeks and began immediately working on the next.

When both baskets were sold, he realized basket-making could be something to make a career out of and not just a hobby.

"I felt the basket craft was much easier than Thai silk weaving I did in Thailand and much better money," he remarked.

Manasmontri had originally come to the United States to attend college in Florida. After arriving, he became connected to Nantucket by his friend Bert Yarbrough, who at the time operated an imported gifts shop. While working on Nantucket, Manasmontri noticed the unique and elegant baskets carried by women attending social gatherings at the Harbachs’.

By the 1980s, Nantucket baskets had become highly sought-after status symbols, and Chin Manasmontri found himself at the center of this growing market.

The basket Hursey had purchased was created during this busy time.

"There was nothing in particular in making of this basket," Manasmontri said. "In 1982, I was in full speed of making baskets, going to college and waiting tables."

He would weave baskets in Florida and finish the process on Nantucket. During this time, he operated a store on Center Street and was partnering with scrimshaw artist Richard Cardozo. Tom Mullen, whose artwork appears on Hursey’s basket, also worked alongside Cardozo in Florida.

The decorative penny on the basket was actually added by a customer, even though many thought it was a maker's signature.

"The penny in baskets, for me, was mostly per customer request," Manasmontri said. "They think it made baskets more authentic."

For Hursey, learning the history of the basket made it something much more meaningful beyond just a beautiful antique.

"Before, I thought it was simply a beautiful handmade basket," she said. "I now view the basket as a piece of history. It tells an amazing story."