Berry Basket Item Number: Nbz792 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Slightly sloping, rectangular, coiled basket with a foot, loop work, and split stitches over the slat foundation. Geometric imbricated design that consists of a vertical row of natural brown diamond shapes outlined by black, dark red-brown, and light yellow-brown zig zags with a black border. Black beading around the foot and dark red-brown along the rim. Handle is 42.3 cm. long and fastened to the basket with cotton.
History Of Use
According to Nlaka'pamux Elder Minnie Peters this is the type of berry basket that would have been carried over the arm. Larger baskets would have been placed on the ground nearby and smaller baskets such as this one would have been emptied into them. Sto:lo basket maker Wendy Ritchie notes that the triangular shape of this basket would have helped to prevent the weight of the berries on the top from squishing the berries underneath. The stains on the inside of this basket were probably made by berries.
Cultural Context
cash economy; craft market
Item History
- Made in British Columbia, Canada before 1916
- Collected in Fraser River, British Columbia, Canada between 1905 and 1916
- Owned by Margaret Gill
- Owned by Helen Gill before April 20, 1978
- Received from Helen Gill (Donor) on April 20, 1978
What
- Name
- Berry Basket
- Identification Number
- Nbz792
- Type of Item
- basket
- Material
- cedar root, cherry bark, cotton fibre, grass and cedar wood
- Manufacturing Technique
- dyed, coiled, beaded and imbricated
- Overall
- height 17.4 cm, width 23.4 cm, depth 15.5 cm
Who
- Culture
- Coast Salish: Sto:lo
- Previous Owner
- Margaret Gill and Helen Gill
- Received from
- Helen Gill (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada
- Collected in
- Fraser River, British Columbia, Canada
When
- Creation Date
- before 1916
- Collection Date
- between 1905 and 1916
- Ownership Date
- before April 20, 1978
- Acquisition Date
- on April 20, 1978
Other
- Item Classes
- basketry
- Condition
- fair
- Current Location
- Case 29
- Accession Number
- 0452/0056