Basket Lid Item Number: A6708 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Coiled cedar root basket and lid with cedar slat foundation. Imbricated designs in black dyed cherry bark and cat-tail. Parallel slat construction. Lid has slat edge with overcast splint construction. Cherry bark beading decorates edge of lid. (The lid is currently on top of basket A8454, but does not appear to be original to that basket?)
Sto:lo basket maker and weaver Wendy Ritchie suggests that this basket is for storage since it is so heavy duty and thick. She suggests that this storage basket may have been used for storing dry foods. "Or again it could be something for a daughter not meant for a working basket."
Basket maker Wendy Ritchie notes that the root ends or add ins on this basket are facing forward. She notes that: "It's funny that it's pointing to the outside of the basket because my mom [Rena Point Bolton] taught me how to have these [the ends] on the inside of the basket. Facing the inside so you can't see them. It's a trick this one [basket maker] didn't know. She further noted that basket maker of this basket was very skilled and produced very uniform work. "What a talent to do this", she remarked.
The lid is decorated with cluster of flies pattern.