John Boynton (1791–1867) began making tinware in 1812, first in the Old Saunders Tinshop in New Ipswich, New Hampshire, and after about 1825 in Templeton, Massachusetts. Unlike other tinware examples, much of the tinware produced in the Boynton shop featured stenciled rather than freehand-painted decoration. This basket has multiple colors washed over metallic powders that have been stenciled onto asphaltum. This ground softened easily and required multiple applications to create an opaque cover, which made stenciled application of paints and powders difficult.

Stacy C. Hollander, "Apple Basket," in American Anthem: Masterworks from the American Folk Art Museum (New York: Harry N. Abrams in association with American Folk Art Museum, 2001), 317.