Basket Item Number: Nb11.348 a-b from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Round, straight-sided, sharp shouldered basket (a) with a raised, fitted lid (b). Cedar bark checker work foundation surrounded by grass twining. Rim is reinforced hoop of cedar bark, edged with two rows of twining. Natural colour with band of blue-purple with faded yellow zigzag design at base of basket and lid. Centre of lid has blue purple circular geometric design surrounded by seven spots of blue-purple. Small scale geometric design.

History Of Use

Before European contact Nuu-chah-nulth baskets were predominately undecorated, all-purpose containers. Checkerwork bags and pouches were used for whaling and fishing gear. Finely woven baskets held liquids and were used to boil food by adding heated stones. By the mid-19th century, when missions and trading posts were well established on the Northwest Coast, the manufacture of functional basketry declined and the Nuu-chah-nulth began to make small decorated 'fancy' baskets for sale. These baskets are characterized by realistic and less frequently, geometric designs. Up to the 1890's Nuu-chah-nulth basketry is open wrapped twined, checkerwork and plain twilled. After this date most are close wrapped twined.

Cultural Context

made for sale

Item History

What

Name
Basket
Identification Number
Nb11.348 a-b
Type of Item
basket
Material
aniline dye, cedar bark, bear grass and grass
Manufacturing Technique
wrapped twined, checkerwork ?, twill twined and twined
Overall
height 4.0 cm, diameter 4.5 cm

Who

Culture
Nuu-chah-nulth
Previous Owner
Dorothy Ladner and Edna Ladner
Received from
Dorothy Ladner (Donor) and Edna Ladner (Donor)

Where

Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
Made in
Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

When

Creation Date
before 1900
Collection Date
during 1900
Ownership Date
before April 12, 1976
Acquisition Date
on April 12, 1976

Other

Item Classes
basketry
Condition
good
Accession Number
0299/0030