Basket Item Number: Nd593 a-b from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Round coiled basket (with bifurcated stitches) with lid (b). Watch-spring coiled bottom. Imbricated geometric design on a and b, of hexagons joined by horizontal band, in dark and red cherry bark with grass in between. Lid has raised knob and flat cedar slat construction on lower edge. One row of cherry bark beaded on bottom.

History Of Use

A gradual change occurred in Salish basketry from the 1820's to the 1940's with the decline of utilitarian basket making and the increase in decorated baskets, made for sale.

Specific Techniques

Beading and imbrications are used individually and jointly as a means of ornamenting coiled basketry. When finished, ordinary beading looks like a ribbon drawn along the coil after it has been sewn over and under the stitches. A line of imbricated stitches has the appearance of a row of tiny overlapping shingles, only the edges lie vertically, not horizontally.