Storage Basket Item Number: A6703 a-b from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Basket (part a) and lid (part b) with cedar slat foundation and cedar root coils. Simple interlocking coiled work with parallel slat base construction and reinforcing stitches. Flange on the base of the basket (part a). Foot is composed of one slat. Imbrication and beading in black and red cherry bark and cat-tail grass. Body is covered with black and red tapering V designs. Lid (part b) has four black beaded panels on top with red stepped beading around the sides and black beading around the rim.

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

Item History

What

Name
Storage Basket
Identification Number
A6703 a-b
Type of Item
basket
Material
cedar root, grass, wood and cherry bark
Manufacturing Technique
imbricated, dyed and coiled
Overall
height 32.5 cm, width 34.3 cm, depth 54.6 cm

Who

Culture
Coast Salish: Sto:lo
Previous Owner
Florence Fyfe-Smith
Received from
Florence Fyfe-Smith (Donor)

Where

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

When

Creation Date
between 1904 and 1951
Ownership Date
before 1951
Acquisition Date
during 1951

Other

Item Classes
basketry
Condition
good