Storage Basket Item Number: A1908 a-b from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Basket (part a) and lid (part b) with simple coiled work, bifurcated stitches, and parallel slat base construction. Slat flange on the basket (part a) with two overcast loop handles. Partially imbricated with a foot of one slat. Design in black/bullrush/red alternating and staggered with the same motif in red/bullrush/black.The foot is beaded in red. Double-stitch fillers on the lid (part b), while the side of the lid has discrete checkered areas alternating in black and red. Button handle on the lid.
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
This basket has an interesting variant of a diamond design. It also has some similarities to the cluster of flies design. Diamonds are associated with good luck, according to Nlaka'pamux basket maker and Elder, Minnie Peters.
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
- Storage Basket
- Identification Number
- A1908 a-b
- Type of Item
- basket
- Material
- cherry bark, cat-tail grass and cedar root
- Manufacturing Technique
- coiled and imbricated
- Overall
- height 20.3 cm, diameter 23.5 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
- good
- Current Location
- Case 29
- Accession Number
- 1960/0246 a-b