Shopping Basket Item Number: 1666/2 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Rectangular coiled basket with popen work triangles at top of long sides and scalloped edge on top of short sides. Two handles go across shorter dimension near centre. Basket is decorated with dyed bark with a butterfly at the centre of each long side and a bird at the centre of each short side. flooral decorations are interspersed over rest of surface.
Iconographic Meaning
The butterfly is said to represent everlasting life. It is commonly used as a design by Sto:lo basket makers and weavers.
Narrative
Rena Bolton notes that her Aunt Elsie Charlie stitched the bottoms of her baskets in the same way that this one was done [in triangular patterns]. This trademark can be seen in a photograph of Elsie Charlie in the book "Indian Artists at Work". On the right side of the photograph you can see the triangular stitches she uses to join the base to the walls of a cradle. However, it was also noted (by Anna Billy of Squamish and Mount Currie) that this basket appears to be the work of Mary Jane Joe of Mount Currie, as the butterfly and rose were designs that she used on her work.
Item History
- Made by Elsie Charlie ? (Maker) or Mary Jane Joe ? (Maker) in British Columbia, Canada
- Owned by Minn Sjolseth before December 15, 1995
- Received from Minn Sjolseth (Donor) on December 15, 1995
What
- Name
- Shopping Basket
- Identification Number
- 1666/2
- Type of Item
- basket
- Material
- cherry bark, grass and cedar root
- Overall
- height 13.0 in, width 14.0 in, depth 7.1 in
Who
- Culture
- Interior Salish
- Creator
- Elsie Charlie ? (Maker) or Mary Jane Joe ? (Maker)
- Previous Owner
- Minn Sjolseth
- Received from
- Minn Sjolseth (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada
When
- Ownership Date
- before December 15, 1995
- Acquisition Date
- on December 15, 1995
Other
- Item Classes
- basketry
- Condition
- excellent
- Accession Number
- 1666/0002