Basket Item Number: A1902 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Simple brown and natural-coloured coiled work basket with bifurcated stitches and watch-spring base construction. The base has a hole in the centre. Basket also has a flange and a high rim. Decorated with partial imbrication. Double vertical design similar to that of an hour glass shape in red cherry filled with bullrush, separated vertically by a row of undecorated cedar. Red triangular design on rim filled in by bullrush staggered with other design.
History Of Use
Resembles a flower pot, and has remains of soil in bottom. Possibly a cover for a clay pot. 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
Item History
- Made in British Columbia, Canada before 1934
- Collected in Cultus Lake, 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
- A1902
- Type of Item
- basket
- Material
- cedar root, cat-tail grass ? and cherry bark
- Manufacturing Technique
- coiled and imbricated
- Overall
- height 13.3 cm, diameter 16.8 cm
Who
- Culture
- Coast Salish: Sto:lo: Soowahlie
- 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
- Cultus Lake, 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
- 1960/0244