Storage Basket Item Number: A6526 a-b from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Part (a) Large flared round coiled cedar root basket with indented flange on basket body at narrow mouth, and fitted lid, part (b), with knob. Basket is partially imbricated with repeating diagonal in dark and red cherry bark, with grass in between. Overcast splint rim on lid, wide slat foot. Partially imbricated with curved diagonal bands in red cherry bark, grass, black cherry bark. Beaded row of red cherry bark and row of dark cherry bark towards knob, which also has row of each. Side of lid is beaded intermittently alternating between red and dark cherry bark. Bottom row of red cherry bark beading.
History Of Use
Coiled basketry traditionally had many uses. It was used for storage of foods, medicines and personal belongings. Some baskets were used for cooking and boiling water, while others had more private uses. Haeberlin and Teit (1928) suggest that in the past not all women were basket makers, but that the skill became more widespread during the early and middle twentieth century when basketry was highly collectible and it became a source of income for many local First Nations women. Basket making declined after the 1950s, but it is still present in many Coast Salish communities and interest is growing.
Cultural Context
basketry
Narrative
Dr. Raley's collection catalogue lists this basket as a Squamish basket with a rainbow design, made by Mary, aged 83.
Iconographic Meaning
Possibly a rainbow design.
Item History
- Made in British Columbia, Canada before 1934
- Collected in Squamish, British Columbia, Canada between 1893 and 1934
- Owned by George Henry Raley before November 1948
- Received from H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) and George Henry Raley (Seller) during November 1948
What
- Name
- Storage Basket
- Identification Number
- A6526 a-b
- Type of Item
- basket
- Material
- cedar root, cherry bark, canary grass and cedar wood
- Manufacturing Technique
- dyed, imbricated and coiled
- Part B
- height 10.3 cm, diameter 64.0 cm
- Part A
- height 40.5 cm, diameter 50.0 cm
Who
- Culture
- Coast Salish: Squamish
- Previous Owner
- George Henry Raley
- Received from
- H. R. MacMillan (Funding source) and George Henry Raley (Seller)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada
- Collected in
- Squamish, British Columbia, Canada
When
- Creation Date
- before 1934
- Collection Date
- between 1893 and 1934
- Ownership Date
- before November 1948
- Acquisition Date
- during November 1948
Other
- Item Classes
- basketry
- Condition
- fair
- Current Location
- Case 5
- Accession Number
- 1960/0484 a-b