LARGE JOHN CLARK SPLIT WILLOW CREEL 1878-1923 SCARCE !

This is a nice example of an early Clark split willow creel leathered by the John Clark Saddlery Co. Portland, Or. founded in 1878. John Clark died in 1923 and his leather company continued for just another 4 years until 1927. Clark creels were rarely marked. They are most often identified by the way he applied his leather. "He first bound half of the top's edge, then inserted the strap for the buckle through the edge binding, stitching it above the binding with either a cross or a box, finally adding a rivet placed through the strap and edge for security". You can see an example of this creel on Page 93 in the Art of The Creel (lower left corner of thiat page). Original leather and hardware all in tack. There is a measure along the upper top of the lid at the rear of the lid top (11"). Unique tooling patterns are just great and a leather harness was found with the creel and is included ! This is a large tightly woven creel measuring 16 1/2" across the bottom. It is approximately 11" high at the back side and approximately 7" front to back. All Clark creels were hand stitched. Please click on its' image too view additional closeups!