Not sure I helped much,, other than prodded your memory a bit !!

Amazing! It seems it is from a part of India, on the Pakistani border…and I was in Kashmir about 30 years ago…thank you for all your help with prodding my memories. It was used for carrying lunch/food to the husband when they were working in the fields, and also for carrying fruit or grain.

Well,, If the other similar basket was from India,, that’s where I would start !! Just do some google image searches for “vintage leather covered lunch basket from India” and see what comes up !! Then try Pakistan !! They would have similar styles !!

Thanks, I figured that. I’m just not sure where it is from. It is very old, but very clean inside.

Items like this basket usually had multiple uses !! It might be a lunch pail one day and used to carry market items the next day !! Due to the leather cover which would keep food items clean and hold in heat somewhat for a warm lunch !! That is probably its intended use !!