I did too, and here’s the Wikipedia entry (for anyone else not in the know):
“A banneton is a type of basket used to provide structure for shaped loaves of bread during proofing. Banneton baskets are also known as brotform or proofing baskets. It is normally used for doughs that are too soft or wet to maintain their shape while rising. Proofing baskets are distinct from loaf pans in that the bread is normally removed from these baskets before baking. Conventionally, these baskets are made out of wicker, but some modern proofing baskets are made out of rattan, cane, spruce pulp, terracotta, or polypropylene. A banneton will sometimes have a cloth liner, generally made of linen, to prevent dough from sticking to the sides of the basket.”
I’m glad they clarified about the cloth lining, because I have images of dough trying to expand through the gaps in the wicker. This may be impossible. I’m clearly not a baker.