Basket Item Number: K4.336 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
A shallow coiled oval tray with two handles woven on the ends. Design consists of an alternating green and light brown diamond shapes on a natural coloured background.
History Of Use
Flat tray-like baskets (ongalo) are used for winnowing maize, as well as serving food. Grass weaving is done by both men and women, but baskets are traditionally woven by most women. Geometric patterns are common in Ovimbundu basketry and certain designs have names with meanings. In some cases, geometric designs are used to indicate a standard of capacity within the basket. The use of green-blue dye is uncommon for Ovimbundu basketry.
Specific Techniques
The dyes used in this basket are green-blue and red-brown. Red dye is made by cooking leaves from an evava plant and boiling them in water with bark of the ukondo tree. After they are sufficiently simmered, they are mixed with ash and buried.
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
- K4.336
- Type of Item
- basket
- Material
- plant fibre and indigo dye ?
- Manufacturing Technique
- coiled
- Overall
- height 3.6 cm, width 22.9 cm, depth 17.9 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
- Accession Number
- 0251/0065