Mat Item Number: Z 35112 from the MAA: University of Cambridge
Large rectangular cedar bark mat. The mat has decorative bands woven in cedar bark which has been dyed black. There are four bands with a chequer board design, with linked diamond patterns. The edges of the mat have two lines of darker reddish brown cedar bark, picked out with black lines. This mat is identical to Z 35114, in all except size.; Good
The original European tribal names and, where possible, current tribal names have both been given in separate GLT fields.; Cedar bark matting was utilised in many ways, as matting, bedding, lining walls to exclude draughts, to cover cargo in canoes, and was sold throughout the region. The cedar bark was gathered during the early summer. A tall tree without too many branches was selected and a line of cuts across the bark was made, to a width of about 40.0. The edge of the bark was pulled upwards, and then tugged otwards causing a strip of bark to come away from the tree for a considerable distance up the trunk.These large pieces of bark had the outer, drier bark removed, as the inner bark is the best. The lengths were further split into 10.0 wide strips which were coiled and stored until need. CUMAA artefacts 1926.569 A B are examples of the bundles and split bark ready for weaving. When needed the bark would be soaked in water and split into thinner strands both in thickness and width. Cedar bark would then be woven into baskets or other similar items (G.Crowther).