Basket Item Number: 2896/2 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Woven cedar bark basket. The base is square with a prominent criss-cross pattern across it, emphasized by interlaced light and dark brown cedar. The sides of the basket rise up from four sharp corners into a rounded body, also with interlaced strips of coloured cedar. The rim is lined on the inside with a roll of cedar and held to the basket by cedar stitching.

History Of Use

Baskets made by plaiting long, narrow strands of the inner bark of the cedar tree were and are common to all First Nations of the Northwest Coast. Such baskets, especially if plaited diagonally like this one, are relatively soft and flexible and therefore well suited to hold a range of materials or foods. A basket of this size could be a container for berry picking, and a large basket or bag could store gear or dried provisions, as well as be folded for travel. Small plaited baskets were also made for sale to tourists and collectors.

Specific Techniques

For this diagonally woven basket, a square bottom is woven, then woven diagonally in the middle of each side, and it changes the corners. This type of weaving was also used for making mats. Like the patterns woven into plaited cedar-bark mats, the plaid or geometric designs are made using strands dyed black by being buried in mud, or red absorbed from the inner bark of red alder.

Item History

What

Name
Basket
Identification Number
2896/2
Type of Item
basket
Material
red cedar bark and dye
Overall
height 16.5 cm, width 22.8 cm, depth 21.0 cm

Who

Culture
Tsimshian ? or Haisla ?
Previous Owner
David Bakewell and Elizabeth Bakewell
Received from
David Bakewell (Donor) and Elizabeth Bakewell (Donor)

Where

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

When

Creation Date
between 1910 and 1930
Ownership Date
before June 18, 2011
Acquisition Date
on June 18, 2011

Other

Item Classes
basketry
Condition
good
Accession Number
2896/0002