Basket Item Number: Nb11.271 a-b from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Circular basket (a) with flat-topped lid (b). Straight-sided cylindrical, shouldered with collared rim. Rim is reinforced hoop topped with braiding (?). Around base of lid are bands of purple, yellow and red. Purple centre on top of lid surrounded by solid rings of red, orange and green; and by two broken line rings; one of yellow and one of orange. Base of basket has bands of purple, yellow and red. Flat top of lid and bottom of basket have circular grass twining.

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
Nb11.271 a-b
Type of Item
basket
Material
grass, aniline dye ? and bear grass ?
Manufacturing Technique
wrapped twined, twined and braided ?
Overall
height 2.7 cm, diameter 4.0 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 1976
Collection Date
during 1900
Ownership Date
before April 12, 1976
Acquisition Date
on April 12, 1976

Other

Item Classes
basketry
Condition
good
Accession Number
0299/0031