Basket Item Number: Nd615 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Coiled basket with bifurcated stitches; elongated watch-spring base construction; fully imbricated. The design consists of nine rows of staggered rectangles bordered on top by horizontal zigzag line, one straight line, two plain rows, ending with a horizontal zigzag around the rim. Cedar root splint foundation with coiled elements of cedar root; one rawhide tie; imbrication in red cherry bark and bullrush.

History Of Use

Burden basket. Tsilhqot’in weavers made coiled cedar-root baskets imbricated with cat-tail grass and cherry bark (for the darker designs). Animals, figures and geometric designs in bands are worked into their sometimes playful designs in bullrush and cherry bark on cedar root. Baskets were used extensively in communities for carrying, storage and cooking and for trade and sale to non-natives. Today baskets continue to be valued in First Nations communities for their cultural importance and continue to be used as gifts, in trade and are made for sale.