Rare Older Lightship Basket with Real Scallop Shell

I bought this very special old basket at least 40 years ago at the Nantucket Cottage Hospital Thrift Shop on India Street. It is clearly hand woven and has an actual beautiful large scallop shell on the lid. The shell appears to be filled with something that gives it support and makes it much more sturdy than if it was hollow. Written on the bottom and barely visible is “Nantucket 1952” (i think this is the date - it’s very hard to read which is typical for a lot of these baskets - the Jose Reyes signature and date on the bottom of my mother’s basket is also barely legible). the clasp, hinges in the back of the lid and the handles are sturdy leather that is in good shape with just some minor surface cracking. the basket, which is made in the traditional lightship basket method with hardwood stays and rattan weaving, is also in great vintage shape - it’s beautifully aged with a patina that can only come from years of being used and loved! it measures 8” tall and the opening is 5 1/4” wide but since it is hourglass shaped it’s larger than that on the inside - there is PLENTY of room for almost anything you might want to carry - it will definitely take a cell phone and plenty of other things! this bag is a real treasure that was already  venerable before i bought it years ago!