Basket Item Number: A6710 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Rectangular basket with cedar root slat foundation with coiled elements of cedar roots. Simple coiled work with parallel slat base construction. Foot is made of one row. Single strand loopwork border. Imbrication in red cherry bark and a white grass in the formation of reverse c's.
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.
Iconographic Meaning
This design is similar in shape to a Lillooet design which represents a head with an open mouth.
Narrative
Sto:lo basket maker Rena Point Bolton suggests that this basket would appear to have been made by someone in their second or third year of basket making.
Item History
- Made in British Columbia, Canada before 1951
- Collected in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Owned by Florence Fyfe-Smith before 1951
- Received from Florence Fyfe-Smith (Donor) during 1951
What
- Name
- Basket
- Identification Number
- A6710
- Type of Item
- basket
- Material
- cedar root, grass, cherry bark and wood
- Overall
- height 11.4 cm, width 17.8 cm, depth 13.9 cm
Who
- Culture
- Coast Salish ?
- Previous Owner
- Florence Fyfe-Smith
- Received from
- Florence Fyfe-Smith (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada
- Collected in
- North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
When
- Creation Date
- before 1951
- Ownership Date
- before 1951
- Acquisition Date
- during 1951
Other
- Item Classes
- basketry
- Condition
- fair
- Current Location
- Case 5