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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.

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

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.