Basket Item Number: A17088 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Rectangular coiled cedar root basket (bifucated stitches) with coiled handle attached across centre of basket, and foot. Parallel wood slat base construction. Beaded dark cherry bark on handle. Imbricated design of two zig-zag rows, in dark cherry bark, cat-tail grass (?), and red cherry bark. Tip of zig-zag pattern repeated on foot. Fibre tied around one side of handle near attachment to basket.

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.

Cultural Context

basketry; storage; plant technology

Iconographic Meaning

According to Sto:lo Elder and basket maker Rosaleen George this basket features the ladder design. She notes that a long time ago the hunters traveled like this, in zigzags, to go up the mountains.

Item History

What

Name
Basket
Identification Number
A17088
Type of Item
basket
Material
cedar root, wood, grass, dye, cherry bark and fibre
Manufacturing Technique
coiled, dyed and imbricated
Overall
height 17.5 cm, width 27.7 cm, depth 19.0 cm

Who

Culture
Coast Salish: Sto:lo
Previous Owner
Ethlyn Trapp
Received from
Ethlyn Trapp (Donor)

Where

Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
Made in
British Columbia, Canada

When

Ownership Date
before August 1972
Acquisition Date
during August 1972

Other

Item Classes
basketry
Condition
good
Current Location
Case 29
Accession Number
0210/0005