Button Item Number: Nb11.270 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Tightly woven button with a grey circle at the centre with an alternating yellow and red border (one row). This is contained within a blue circular line. Two black thunderbirds are on each side of the central motif with five alternating yellow and orange triangles across the wingspan. Alternating red and yellow triangles are on the outer border of the button and green on the edge. Basketry continues on the reverse with a blue-grey outer border for two rows.
Iconographic Meaning
Thunderbird is an important mythical being associated with whaling.
Specific Techniques
Originally grass for basketry was collected in the summer, split, dried and stored for winter use.
Item History
- Made by Nellie Jacobson (Maker) in Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada during 1942
- Collected during 1942
- Owned by Letitia A. Hay before June 2, 1978
- Received from Letitia A. Hay (Donor) on June 2, 1978
What
- Name
- Button
- Identification Number
- Nb11.270
- Type of Item
- button
- Material
- dye, swamp grass and paper
- Manufacturing Technique
- wrapped twined
- Overall
- height 0.5 cm, diameter 3.7 cm
Who
- Culture
- Nuu-chah-nulth: Ahousaht
- Creator
- Nellie Jacobson (Maker)
- Previous Owner
- Letitia A. Hay
- Received from
- Letitia A. Hay (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada
When
- Creation Date
- during 1942
- Collection Date
- during 1942
- Ownership Date
- before June 2, 1978
- Acquisition Date
- on June 2, 1978
Other
- Item Classes
- basketry
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 0461/0008