Basket Item Number: K4.152 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Upward flaring, circular basket that has a lozenge design in natural colour and black. The foot shows much poorer quality in comparison with rest of the basket and is noticeably lighter in colour so presumably is not original to the basket.
History Of Use
Woman’s field, or burden, basket (ohumba); used to carry harvested crops and agricultural tools, such as a hoe and pounder. The raised and hollowed base of this basket allows it to be worn on top of the head. Grass weaving is done by both men and women, but baskets are traditionally woven by most women. Angular, particiulary triangular, and ecological motifs are common in Ovimbundu baskets.
Specific Techniques
Basket is made using a coiling process; the height and uniformity indicate this basket maker was very skilled. Dye used in this basket is black. Black dye is made when the leaves of evava are mixed in a solution of iron obtained from stagnant muddy pools. Grasses are placed into the evava-iron solution and boiled to darken. It can be darkened further by boiling the solution again with the addition of pounded ungalo leaves.
Item History
- Made in Angola
- Collected during 1950
- Owned by Anne E. Copithorne before November 14, 1973
- Received from Anne E. Copithorne (Donor) on November 14, 1973
What
- Name
- Basket
- Identification Number
- K4.152
- Type of Item
- basket
- Material
- grass and plant fibre
- Manufacturing Technique
- coiled
- Overall
- height 16.0 cm, diameter 20.2 cm
Who
- Culture
- Ovimbundu
- Previous Owner
- Anne E. Copithorne
- Received from
- Anne E. Copithorne (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Angola
When
- Collection Date
- during 1950
- Ownership Date
- before November 14, 1973
- Acquisition Date
- on November 14, 1973
Other
- Item Classes
- basketry
- Condition
- good
- Current Location
- Case 100
- Accession Number
- 0251/0114