Trinket Basket Item Number: Nbz696 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Coiled cedar root basket with flaring cylindrical (octagon) shape. Has single, coil loop at the base of the basket and double interlocked coil at the rim. Slat foundation base as well as slat coil foundation for the body of the basket. Unusual beading in red and black cherry bark and white grass.
History Of Use
Coiled basketry traditionally had many uses. It was used for storage of foods, medicines and personal belongings. Some baskets were used for cooking and boiling water, while others had more private uses. Haeberlin and Teit (1928) suggest that in the past not all women were basket makers, but that the skill became more widespread during the early and middle twentieth century when basketry was highly collectible and it became a source of income for many local First Nations women. Basket making declined after the 1950s, but it is still present in many Coast Salish communities and interest is growing.
Narrative
In 2000, Sto:lo basket maker Frieda George suggested that this basket was from their area (her grandmother Elizabeth Herrling agreed). Further research suggested it may have come from New Westminster? It has some distinctive decorative stitching on it previously seen on a basket in a private collection purchased in New Westminster prior to 1940, and again on a basket in the collection of the New Westminster Museum – also collected in that area, according to their records (cat.# X982.704).
Cultural Context
basketry; storage; economic activity
Item History
- Made in New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada ? before 1965
- Collected between 1910 and 1965
- Owned by Henry Castillou before 1965
- Received from Henry Castillou (Donor) during 1965
What
- Name
- Trinket Basket
- Identification Number
- Nbz696
- Type of Item
- basket
- Material
- bear grass, cedar bark, cherry bark and dye
- Manufacturing Technique
- coiled, looped, dyed and beaded
- Overall
- height 14.3 cm, diameter 16.0 cm
Who
- Culture
- Coast Salish: Sto:lo
- Previous Owner
- Henry Castillou
- Received from
- Henry Castillou (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada ?
When
- Creation Date
- before 1965
- Collection Date
- between 1910 and 1965
- Ownership Date
- before 1965
- Acquisition Date
- during 1965
Other
- Item Classes
- basketry
- Condition
- good
- Current Location
- Case 29
- Accession Number
- 0107/0101