Object numberM2002/024:001
DescriptionCane basket purchased at a street market, Shanghai, 1948.
Susanne Pinkus (nee Hesky) walked up and down the streets of Shanghai to find the perfect crib for her 9-month old daughter Ivy. The family were immigrating to Australia; she chose this basket for the long trip because of the sturdy craftsmanship and tight weave. It was also the right size for the baby and her belongings.
Susanne was born in Vienna, Austria in 1924. In 1939, she and her family fled to Shanghai, one of the few ports what accepted them without a visa. Conditions were not ideal, but the family managed, even after 1941 when the Japanese placed them in a ghetto. In 1944 Susanne married Otto Pinkus, who was originally from Berlin. They had two wedding ceremonies, one Chinese, one Jewish, because they weren’t sure which would be accepted after the war.
They immigrated to Australia in 1948. The basket was ideal as a crib as well as a place to store baby supplies.
Donated by Ivy Green (nee Pinkus)
Susanne Pinkus (nee Hesky) walked up and down the streets of Shanghai to find the perfect crib for her 9-month old daughter Ivy. The family were immigrating to Australia; she chose this basket for the long trip because of the sturdy craftsmanship and tight weave. It was also the right size for the baby and her belongings.
Susanne was born in Vienna, Austria in 1924. In 1939, she and her family fled to Shanghai, one of the few ports what accepted them without a visa. Conditions were not ideal, but the family managed, even after 1941 when the Japanese placed them in a ghetto. In 1944 Susanne married Otto Pinkus, who was originally from Berlin. They had two wedding ceremonies, one Chinese, one Jewish, because they weren’t sure which would be accepted after the war.
They immigrated to Australia in 1948. The basket was ideal as a crib as well as a place to store baby supplies.
Donated by Ivy Green (nee Pinkus)
Production placeShanghai, China
Production date 1948 - 1948
Object namebaskets
Materialrattan
Techniquewoven
Dimensions
- whole depth: 380 mm
height: 330 mm
width: 700 mm
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Ivy Green