Basket Item Number: A1982 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Coiled basket (with bifurcated stitches) unfinished? Elongated watch-spring base construction. Partial imbrication with arrowhead design around rim, in red and black cherry bark, alternated with figures in black bark and white grass. Line of red imbrication below.
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; plant technology; storage
Iconographic Meaning
In the collector's catalogue it is noted that this basket features a half-arrowhead design. It is not uncommon to see designs described as such by Salish basket makers, for example triangular designs are often referred to as half-diamonds.
Item History
- Made in British Columbia, Canada before 1934
- Collected in Fraser River, 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
- Basket
- Identification Number
- A1982
- Type of Item
- basket
- Material
- cherry bark, cat-tail grass ? and cedar root
- Manufacturing Technique
- coiled and imbricated
- Overall
- height 5.0 cm, width 15.3 cm, depth 11.7 cm
Who
- Culture
- Coast Salish: Sto:lo
- 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
- Fraser River, 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
- Accession Number
- 1960/0265