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Cultural Context

made for sale

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.

Description

Oval basket (a) with a flat, fitted lid (b). Sharp shoulder with reinforced cedar hoop rim. Grass plaiting foundation surrounded by grass twining. One horizontal element within the grass checker work is covered by twining. Natural colour with a band of dark purple with zigzag geometric design at the basket's midpoint and in an oval on the top of the lid. Two rings of black at the base of the basket and at rim of lid. The lid has dark purple centre.