Basket Item Number: K4.333 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
A large coiled circular basket with the sides flaring upward. The main design is blue-green and orange on a natural coloured background consisting of a possible representation of two "trees", four triangles, and two geometrical figures. Each like representational design component is opposite one another. The centre bottom is dark and of another fibre. The rim has a design which consists of orange crosses with natural coloured middles on a natural coloured background. Stands on its circular foot pedestal.
History Of Use
Woman’s field, or burden, basket (ohumba); used to carry harvested crops and agricultural tools, such as a hoe and pounder. The raised and hollowed base of this basket allows it to be worn on top of the head. Grass weaving is done by both men and women, but baskets are traditionally woven by most women. Geometric patterns are common in Ovimbundu baskets and certain designs are used to indicate the capacity of a basket.
Specific Techniques
The dyes used in this basket are green-blue and amber-yellow. Yellow dye is made from roots of wild rhubarb (ocilunguluila). The roots are pounded and placed in cold water with the grasses used to create the coils. Afterwards, the mixture is placed in a fire to boil for half an hour, turning the grasses amber-yellow.
Item History
- Made in Angola
- Collected during 1950
- Owned by Anne E. Copithorne before November 14, 1973
- Received from Anne E. Copithorne (Donor) on November 14, 1973
What
- Name
- Basket
- Identification Number
- K4.333
- Type of Item
- basket
- Material
- plant fibre
- Manufacturing Technique
- coiled
- Overall
- height 13.8 cm, diameter 34.2 cm
Who
- Culture
- Ovimbundu
- Previous Owner
- Anne E. Copithorne
- Received from
- Anne E. Copithorne (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Angola
When
- Collection Date
- during 1950
- Ownership Date
- before November 14, 1973
- Acquisition Date
- on November 14, 1973
Other
- Item Classes
- basketry
- Condition
- good
- Current Location
- Case 100
- Accession Number
- 0251/0062