Basket Item Number: Nd654 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Coiled basket with bifurcated stitches; parallel to watch-spring base construction; partially imbricated. The design from the bottom to top: three rows of double zigzags in red on bullrush ground; stepped pattern in bullrush; horizontal line with discrete shapes; one stepped pattern; discrete shapes on bullrush ground; concentric squares and double diamonds connected by horizontal line. Four rawhide ties; one twine tie and one braided fibre rope on the front. Colour: tan.

History Of Use

Burden basket. Tsilhqot’in weavers made coiled cedar-root baskets imbricated with cat-tail grass and cherry bark (for the darker designs). Animals, figures and geometric designs in bands are worked into their sometimes playful designs in bullrush and cherry bark on cedar root. Baskets were used extensively in communities for carrying, storage and cooking and for trade and sale to non-natives. Today baskets continue to be valued in First Nations communities for their cultural importance and continue to be used as gifts, in trade and are made for sale.

Item History

What

Name
Basket
Identification Number
Nd654
Type of Item
basket
Material
rawhide skin, cherry bark, cedar root, cedar wood, cat-tail grass ? and fibre
Manufacturing Technique
coiled and imbricated
Overall
height 31.7 cm, width 48.5 cm, depth 31.3 cm

Who

Culture
Tsilhqot'in
Previous Owner
Anna J. Beecher and Frederick L. Beecher
Received from
Frederick L. Beecher (Donor)

Where

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

When

Collection Date
between 1885 and 1911
Ownership Date
before 1952
Acquisition Date
during 1952

Other

Item Classes
basketry
Condition
fair
Current Location
Case 30
Accession Number
2004/0198