Mat Item Number: Nb666 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Square cedar bark mat with a checkerboard-like weave. Six bands of dark brown-grey stripes with two solid stripes running along either end.
History Of Use
Mats made from inner cedar bark served a variety of uses such as; dividers for privacy, eating, sleeping, keeping out drafts, protection of canoe cargo, drying berries, covering food boxes, gambling on, given as gifts. Some women gave birth on a clean mat and bodies of the deceased would be wrapped in a mat and then placed in a mortuary box. Mats were used ceremonially by all Northwest Coast people with some variations.
Cultural Context
domestic
Specific Techniques
The mat is woven in a simple plaiting technique 2 edges are finished by folding the warps under and securing the ends with a row of twining.
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
- Northwest Coast
- 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
- fair
- Accession Number
- 1253/0067