Shell Basketry Item Number: Nb11.243 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Abalone shell covered on the exterior with wrap-twine basketry, conforming closely to its contours and brought over shell edges to secure. Pattern: dark blue rectangular ovoid at centre, with concentric bordering stripes of yellow/red, red, yellow/red and dark blue. Rest of field natural light brown, upon which five dark green flying bird shapes are arranged around centre area. Where basketry turns over shell edge, there are concentric stripes of red, dark green, yellow/red and light green. Colours fade on thick side of shell. Basketry slightly damaged in several small areas. Shell interior has four natural perforations.
History Of Use
Non-traditional basketry shape, made for the tourist trade. A distinctive aspect of Nuu-chah-nulth tourist baskets are those made by applying wrapped twine to bottles, shells and other containers. The basket takes on the shape of the underlying object.
Cultural Context
made for sale
Item History
- Made in Ucluelet, British Columbia, Canada before 1943
- Collected during 1943
- Owned by Donald New before July 25, 1978
- Received from Donald New (Donor) on July 25, 1978
What
- Name
- Shell Basketry
- Identification Number
- Nb11.243
- Type of Item
- basketry
- Material
- abalone shell, aniline dye, grass and cedar root ?
- Manufacturing Technique
- wrapped twined
- Overall
- height 3.5 cm, width 11.0 cm
Who
- Culture
- Nuu-chah-nulth: Ucluelet
- Previous Owner
- Donald New
- Received from
- Donald New (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Ucluelet, British Columbia, Canada
When
- Creation Date
- before 1943
- Collection Date
- during 1943
- Ownership Date
- before July 25, 1978
- Acquisition Date
- on July 25, 1978
Other
- Item Classes
- basketry
- Condition
- good
- Current Location
- Case 9
- Accession Number
- 0475/0001