Shopping Basket

Item number 1666/2 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

Public

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Data
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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