Longaberger 1997 Christmas Collection Snowflake Basket with Laser-Cut Wood Lid

An investment-grade, highly collectible holiday showpiece featuring the 1997 Edition Snowflake Basket from the annual Christmas Collection series produced by Longaberger Baskets of Dresden, Ohio. This piece showcases a unique hexagonal (six-sided) structural mold shape designed to accommodate specialized winter geometric coordinates and an intricate wooden accent topper.
Product Specifications & Features
Weave Structure: Expertly hand-woven from premium maple hardwood splints, styled with an accent trim layout featuring two prominent bands of forest green dyed accent weaving tracking around the center body and the top rim trim. Equipped with a high, single overhead structural wood swing handle.
Laser-Cut Snowflake Lid: Complete with its original, coordinating Longaberger WoodCrafts lid. The top face showcases a spectacular, large-scale laser-carved geometric snowflake cutout motif overlaid with fine perimeter line branding, finished with a central turned-wood natural cabinet knob handle.
Liners & Paperwork: Outfitted with its premium over-the-rim festive cotton fabric liner printed in a classic country holiday holly-and-berry motif with a dense cream ground field. Includes a high-clarity, form-fitting clear plastic interior protective liner. Retains its original factory package literature, including the official multi-page story booklet titled “Longaberger® / 1997 Holiday Hostess™ / Snowflake Basket / Green Accent Weaving 12653” and the official Guarantee of Authenticity sheet.
Markings
Front Facing: Plated with a highly polished brass hardware nameplate engraved with “Longaberger® / Christmas Collection™ / 1997 Edition / Snowflake Basket™”.
Base Understructure: The elevated wooden bottom stabilization ring is cleanly stamped with the legacy “Longaberger Baskets / Handwoven / Dresden, Ohio USA” logo. Hand-signed by the artisan weaver with initials SF and explicitly dated 1997.
Condition Report
Weave & Woodwork: Near-mint, pristine collector-grade condition. The hardwood splints are perfectly uniform, flexible, and completely free of chips, splits, fracture lines, or loose edges. The solid wood lid sits perfectly flush across the basket rim, the snowflake cutouts are highly sharp with zero splintering, and the central knob handle is firmly anchored. The brass nameplate is flawless with high luster and no surface oxidation.
Liner & Plastics: The specialized seasonal fabric liner is crisp, dry, completely un-faded, and free of storage dust, fraying, or stains. The clear plastic interior protective insert is bright, highly transparent, and entirely free of warping or scratches. All original paper booklets remain un-bent and clean.