A handwoven rattan trug with a bound arched handle - shallow, wide and open, in the shape gardeners have carried for generations.
The Elmsley is the basket you reach for on the way out to the garden. Handwoven from rattan in the classic trug shape, with a shallow, wide, gently curved body and a sturdy arched handle bound at both sides. The low sides are the whole idea: cut stems lie flat rather than folding, and a handful of beans or a few pulled carrots can be set down without bruising. It carries comfortably over one arm with the other hand free for secateurs. Choose the smaller size for cut flowers and a light picking, the larger for a proper harvest. Between seasons it looks entirely at home on a shelf, or filled with logs beside a fire.
What sets it apart
The detail that makes it different
A trug's proportions are the reason the shape has lasted. The Elmsley is shallow and wide rather than deep, so long-stemmed blooms lie along the length instead of being crushed upright, and everything stays visible and reachable in one layer. Each one is woven by hand, which means the tone of the rattan, the tightness of the weave and the sweep of the handle vary slightly from basket to basket — no two come out identical, and that irregularity is what a moulded basket never achieves. The handle is bound where it meets the rim, the point that takes the strain, so it holds a full load without flexing. Both sizes stand under 40cm to the top of the handle, which makes them easy to store on a hook or a shed shelf.
Country Farmhouse Modern Rustic Coastal Scandinavian Classic
Good to know
What size are they?
The small trug measures 44cm by 38cm and stands 29cm to the top of the handle; the large is 53cm by 40cm and stands 38cm. The small suits cut flowers, herbs and a light picking; the large takes a full harvest of vegetables or a generous armful of stems.
Are the two sizes sold as a pair?
No, they're sold individually. Both are shown together in our photography to give a sense of scale, so please select the size you need at checkout.
Can I leave them outside?
They're not made to live outdoors permanently. Rattan will dry out, grey and eventually weaken if it's left in the rain and sun, so bring the trug indoors after use, or store it in a shed or greenhouse overnight and between jobs.
Will each one look the same?
No. Each trug is woven by hand from a natural material, so colour, weave and the exact sweep of the handle differ from basket to basket. Slight variation in tone and shape is part of the character rather than a fault.
Can I use them for damp produce or wet flowers?
For a short carry from the garden, yes. For anything wetter, or for use as a planter, line it first — an open weave won't hold soil or water. Shake off excess damp and let the trug dry naturally rather than near direct heat, which can make rattan brittle.
How do I care for them?
Brush or shake out loose soil after use and wipe with a barely damp cloth if needed. Store dry, out of prolonged direct sun, and the colour will hold for years.
Specifications & materials
Material
Handwoven rattan
Height
Measured to top of handle
Detail
Bound arched handle
Supplied
Sold individually
