Tray Item Number: D1.495 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Tray composed of simple coiled work (bifurcated stitches), watch-spring base construction, and sides consisting of five slat rows. Decorated with partial imbrication in a continuous checkered diamond design alternating in red/cat-tail and black/cat-tail. Four smaller diamond shapes near center in black/cat-tail/red. Triangular shaped figures (half diamonds) alternating in black/cat-tail, and red/cat-tail on exterior of tray.
Cultural Context
basketry; storage; plant technology
Iconographic Meaning
Diamonds are associated with good luck according to Nlaka'pamux Elder, Minnie Peters. Nlaka'pamux basket makers may only execute half the design, using triangles instead of complete diamonds, and identify these designs as "half-diamonds".
Item History
- Made in British Columbia, Canada
- Collected between 1910 and 1965
- Owned by Henry Castillou before 1965
- Received from Henry Castillou (Donor) during 1965
What
- Name
- Tray
- Identification Number
- D1.495
- Type of Item
- tray
- Material
- cedar root, cherry bark, cat-tail grass ? and dye
- Manufacturing Technique
- coiled and imbricated
- Overall
- height 5.1 cm, diameter 38.1 cm
Who
- Culture
- Interior Salish: Nlaka'pamux
- Previous Owner
- Henry Castillou
- Received from
- Henry Castillou (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- British Columbia, Canada
When
- Collection Date
- between 1910 and 1965
- Ownership Date
- before 1965
- Acquisition Date
- during 1965
Other
- Item Classes
- basketry
- Condition
- poor
- Accession Number
- 0107/0025