Basket Item Number: Na1170 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Birch bark basket with an oval-shaped mouth and a rectangular base. One piece of birch bark folded up with spruce root stitching visible inside and out at four corners. Same design scraped on outside of basket on three sides--three central lines with four upward diagonal lines, three triangles on two middle lines. On fourth side design has a central floral motif with diagonal lines on either side and with attached triangles on two diagonals. Design on base is rectangular, lines with attached triangles in two panels. Stitched and lashed spruce root rim with some lashing dyed red-brown in centre of each of four sides. Rim decorated with beading on each corner.
History Of Use
Basketry filled a vital need as containers for storage domestic use and transportation of goods. Some had multiple uses; others were made for specific functions. After European contact, used for trade and sale items. Forms have been altered to meet European tastes. Basketry making was and is a women's art.
Cultural Context
domestic storage; cooking; transport
Specific Techniques
Birch bark was cut to size, steamed, folded and sewn at corners. Wood rim is lashed with spruce root, outside scraped to decorate.
Item History
- Made in British Columbia, Canada
- Collected in Port Simpson, British Columbia, Canada and Lax Kw'alaams, British Columbia, Canada between 1887 and 1966
- Owned by Agnes Macintosh Brentzen
- Owned by Margaret E. Cornish and E. Percival before November 5, 1987
- Received from Margaret E. Cornish (Seller), Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source) and E. Percival (Seller) on November 5, 1987
What
Who
- Culture
- Gitxsan ?
- Previous Owner
- Agnes Macintosh Brentzen, Margaret E. Cornish and E. Percival
- Received from
- Margaret E. Cornish (Seller), Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source) and E. Percival (Seller)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada
- Collected in
- Port Simpson, British Columbia, Canada and Lax Kw'alaams, British Columbia, Canada
When
- Collection Date
- between 1887 and 1966
- Ownership Date
- before November 5, 1987
- Acquisition Date
- on November 5, 1987
Other
- Item Classes
- basketry
- Condition
- good
- Current Location
- Case 19
- Accession Number
- 1253/0001