The Willow tree has provided the raw material for weavers the world over with Ireland being no exception. Before the era of mechanical production, local basket weavers would provide the many different types of baskets and containers needed by their community. Fishermen, farmers and housewives had different needs which resulted in a wide variety of styles and types of baskets. Ingenious methods were developed to bind and shape the humble willow twig into functional objects of great beauty and strength, still greatly admired and treasured to this day.

Building on this tradition, Martin Croke has developed the Willow Weave pattern for Cashs Crystal. Fashioned from a single piece of crystal, each handle is hand carved, shaped and bevelled. An overlapping weave pattern is then cut into the base of the basket and is blended, using “rosette cuts”, into the handle creating a single overall texture. No other cut pattern could be more suitable for this basket whose history is part of our shared human experience.

Willow Weave pattern is hand cut in County Waterford by the Cashs Master Artisans, renowned worldwide as the finest practitioners of the ancient art of glass-cutting. Each piece of crystal is individually marked, cut and checked by a master of the craft. This combination of artistry, skill, and craft guarantees that Cashs Crystal is unique, precious, timeless and truly Irish.