Berry Basket Item Number: A2278 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Basket with simple coiled work (bifurcated stitches), elongated watch-spring base construction and overcast rim. Continuous imbricated design in red cherry bark: series of diagonal lines which intersect to produce a diamond design.
History Of Use
According to Sto:lo basket makers this is the type of basket used for picking berries. Nlaka'pamux Elder Minnie Peters notes that smaller baskets were worn around the waist or carried by straps when picking berries, and that the larger baskets were placed nearby to receive the contents of smaller baskets. Wendy Ritchie of Skowkale adds that berry baskets were made in triangular form to disperse the weight of the berries on top so that those on the bottom wouldn't get squished. In addition, leaves were often placed between the layers of berries to protect them.
Cultural Context
basketry
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
- Berry Basket
- Identification Number
- A2278
- Type of Item
- basket
- Material
- cherry bark and cedar root
- Manufacturing Technique
- coiled and imbricated
- Overall
- height 7.75 in, width 19.5 in, depth 14.4882 in
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
- Current Location
- Case 7
- Accession Number
- 1960/0321