One of my sweet readers has been asking me for several weeks to share more about the antique wicker market cart in my kitchen and I looked for a blog post about it and couldn’t find one! I have had this piece for several years, so I thought I wrote a post about it at some time, but I haven’t. I decided I would fix that today and share the details about this charming antique shopping trolly.
I bought this particular wicker market cart about 10 years ago at one of my favorite PA antique shops. I think I paid around $90 for it, which I thought was a good price for the condition of such a functional antique.
A wicker market cart like this one would’ve been used during an age or in a culture where you walk to the butcher, then the baker and the greengrocer to hold all your parcels as you run your errands. If you’ve ever spent time in a city or a small town where walking or taking the subway/tram is the main mode of transportation, you can see how these would be handy. In this day and culture minivans, shopping carts, and plastic bags have largely replaced charming little carts like these, which might be why I’ve always been attracted to them. A cart like this one reminds me of European towns where you see older women in their headscarves toting their purchases.
My market cart has a bent wood handle, a wood bottom to add sturdiness, wooden wheels with thin black rubber treads, and a woven wicker basket. There’s also a little wooden peg under the basket that helps it stand upright.
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When I lived in PA, I primarily used the piece in my studio as a prop for photos or a display for retail. It still made an appearance in styled photoshoots when I lived in MN, but I mostly used it as a decorative piece in my home.
For five years, it had a home in our laundry room/mudroom and I’d often use it to hold rolls of wrapping paper or I’d put an umbrella in it or whatever made sense for the season. (You can see the full makeover of the laundry/mudroom HERE.)
In our current house, the antique market cart is at the end of the pantry cabinet in the kitchen, which brings visual interest and texture to the large blank side of a floor-to-ceiling cabinet.
I haven’t ever used it as a cart for shopping or errands because the wicker, while in good overall condition, is brittle and would certainly deteriorate if I used it regularly. I have a new folding metal cart ( one) that I’ll bring to antique fairs and markets. It has more storage space, better wheels, and I don’t have to worry about messing it up. It’s not quite as cute as an antique, but it’s more functional.
If you’re looking for something similar to my antique car, I would suggest keeping your eyes out for one at antique stores, markets, and other secondhand shops where they might turn up. I would expect to pay anywhere from $100-500 depending on the quality, age, size, and condition. You can also find them on and . I shopped around for some other antique, vintage, and new (but charming) wicker market carts, and here is a round-up of some of my favorites. is one almost exactly like mine.
Let me know if there are any other antique pieces or things in my home that you’d like to know more about.
You can find more of my favorite antique finds from over the years HERE.
10 Responses
The wicker market cart is a spectacular piece that I have admired when it has been shown in your post. It’s one of those finds that would make your heart flutter, lol. It’s joyful to see your amazing collection of wonderful antiques throughout your home. Thanks for sharing all that you do.
It’s so charming and whimsical! I just love it! I’ve never seen one before but now will be on the lookout for one. Thanks for sharing!
I bought one at Ikea in Norfolk a few years ago! while not antique, I love it! I made a white linen ruffle lining around the top for some interest.
You’ve found a good spot for yours! I have one that is missing the wheels but the basket was so unique, with braided pieces incorporated into the weave that I decided to buy it. It used to sit on the breakfast table to hold snacks, but in our new-to-us house it’s in the sunroom.
Beautiful Cart!
I have always admired your wicker market cart in pictures over the years and never thought to ask about it. I believe I saw one or two at the Round Top Antique Fair in TX when I went some years back. We have my late mothers in laws metal folding market cart which were popular back in the 50-70’s and use it every now and then we go to a big flea market or vintage fair like Lucketts.
Thank you, thank you.
Growing up in a small town in Maryland there was a very old lady who always used one of these carts. NOW you have shared the info on the cart. I want one! Many thanks.
During a visit to Montreal last year, we enjoyed walking to an amazing open air market that sold almost everything needed to prepare beautiful meals. Our friends who live in Montreal had a modern version of this cart that folded very small to carry to the market, but by the time we left the market, it was filled with wine bottles (safely cushioned at the bottom), lots of vegetables and fruits, cheeses, fresh breads, and anything else that caught our fancy. I would love to live in such a place that one can walk to the market, find such wonderful things, then walk home, pulling a cart full of treasures … all without getting in a car!
Oh, I had one of these wicker carts that I bought for 25 cents at a garage sale about 30 years ago! It was even bigger than yours and just gorgeous. I kept it and used it for several years, but then sold it at one of my garage sales for $5 to my neighbor. I do regret selling it, but I didn’t have a good place for it then, and I still don’t now even though I am in a different house. I do however have a “newer” version of this cart from about the 1960s and I use it frequently. Here in Canada plenty of people have today’s version of these carts (which are structurally inferior!) and walk to and from the grocery stores all the time.
Hello! I just found one very similar to yours at the Mt. Dora Antique Extravaganza over the weekend in Mt. Dora, FL. On the handle is inscribed Backus and something else I can’t read. I tried Googling but couldn’t find anything. I absolutely love it and can’t wait to find a great spot for it. Love your posts.