Mat Item Number: Nb3.1346 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Rectangular mat. The mat is plaited with twilled and checkerboard weave designs. There are bands of geometric diamonds in dark brown and green-brown woven on the horizontal and vertical. The diamond design creates a wide border and forms three sections within the mat. The undecorated areas are woven with the checkerboard weave. There is a wide bark strand edge.

History Of Use

Spread on ground for sitting, sleeping, or used as covers, or for dividers in house (usually painted); also given as gifts at feasts. Size varied according to purpose. Woven by women. Designs either painted on surface, or with dyed bark woven in, as in this mat.

Specific Techniques

Twilled: weft strand crosses over and under two or more warp strands; checkerboard: weft strand crosses over and under one warp strand.