Basket Item Number: Na1166 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Oval shaped birch bark basket at rim tapering to a square base. Decorative design covers entire exterior surface, except bottom. Design consists of a series of three horizontal repeated motifs of alternating dark brown waves and lines with light brown scraped waves and lines. The sewn side seams form an inverted "y" shape. Seams secured by spruce root stitches. Red and yellow fibre is woven through top of lashed rim--only traces remain.

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.

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.

Cultural Context

domestic storage; cooking; transport

Item History

What

Name
Basket
Identification Number
Na1166
Type of Item
basket
Material
wood, spruce root, birch bark, dye ? and fibre ?
Manufacturing Technique
cut, lashed, stitched, dyed, folded, steamed and scraped
Overall
height 16.3 cm, width 18.5 cm, depth 15.3 cm

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
1253/0007