When life’s a pic‘niche’ basket

Packed with some of the finest silverware, bone china plates and lambswool rugs, these are some of the most expensive picnic hampers ever sold in the world

Moynat malle bicyclette for Rs 2,93,71,414

French luxury brand Moynat in 2012 launched an ingenious bicycle trunk, fitted out with all the essentials for a classic picnic in the park. The basket has been designed to fit precisely onto the front of a bicycle and it’s just big enough to hold all the necessities for a picnic à deux. The charming pop-up trunk comes fully equipped with white ceramic plates, silverwear and napkins, all held securely in place by leather straps and pockets. Customised compartments hold two Thermos flasks to keep beverages hot or cold and there is even a small drawer for sandwiches or macaroons. In turn, the front panel, when opened, drops down to form a small table - making wheel-top dining an option.

Wicker picnic basket by J C Vickery for Rs 4,32,597 This fine six-person wicker picnic basket by J C Vickery was auctioned by Bonhams at the Festival of Speed. The basket with leather straps and nickel catches houses kettle, stand and burner, saucepan with lid, spout and detachable wooden handle, sandwich boxes, storage boxes, a wicker covered bottle, six wicker covered glasses in two stacks, a ceramic butter jar and two glass bottles a condiments jar with wicker cover amongst other.

En route for Rs 1,90,324 Bonhams sold this picnic set for four persons by Drew & Sons, circa 1909 at the Festival of Speed auction. The basket includes fitted wicker-handled kettle with ornate burner, three glass drinks bottles stacked with nickelled tumblers, a smaller glass milk bottle, five food tins of various sizes, set of four ceramic tea-cups with saucers, enamelled rectangular plates, a circular nickelled serving platter, three condiments jars, and cutlery.

Aston martin kestrel tan hamper for Rs 1,73,615 This beautifully crafted picnic hamper is produced using the 100 per cent scottish lambswool and includes English fine bone China plates, Irish damask linen and lambwool rug. The rich saddle leather in kestrel tan is hand cut and stitched to encase and fasten each of the 28 components in the hamper.

Picnic set and games table combination for Rs 4,47,823 This fine and impressive wooden cased six-person picnic set and games table combination by Barrett & Sons was sold for £5,000 at the Festival of Speed auction. The brown leather-lined compartmentalised interior, fitted with compliment of picnic accessories including wicker-handled kettle with burner and oil flask, wicker-handled saucepan, large wicker-covered glass drinks bottle, smaller milk bottle and more. The setting is supported on a pair of wooden folding trestle legs and is offered with two keys.