Storage Basket Item Number: A476 a-b from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Rectangular, footed basket (b) with flaring sides and a flat, fitted lid (a). Simple coiled work (bifurcated stitches) and partial imbrication. Single slat foot and a flange on basket for lid. Partial imbrication with discrete figures. The design on the sides is in black, bullrush, red. Triangles in centre portion, and ends, in red/bullrush/black. Lid has the same design as the sides without triangles. Foot is beaded with cherry bark.

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; storage; plant technology

Item History

What

Name
Storage Basket
Identification Number
A476 a-b
Type of Item
basket
Material
cat-tail grass ?, cherry bark and cedar root
Manufacturing Technique
coiled and imbricated
Overall
height 36.0 cm, width 63.0 cm, depth 40.0 cm

Who

Culture
Coast Salish: Squamish
Creator
Rose Andrew ? (Maker)
Previous Owner
Margaret L. Buttimer and Alfred J. Buttimer
Received from
Alfred J. Buttimer (Donor)

Where

Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
Made in
British Columbia, Canada
Collected in
North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

When

Creation Date
during 1900
Collection Date
during 1900
Ownership Date
before 1932
Acquisition Date
during 1932

Other

Item Classes
basketry
Condition
fair
Accession Number
2003/0001 a-b