Colander Basket Item Number: A1890 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Brown basket made of simple coiled work (bifurcated stitches) with watch-spring base construction and a base that has a central hole. Fully beaded and partially imbricated with cross-stitch on the rim. Three staggered rows of triangles (vertex down) in red on a beaded bullrush ground. Interior of base has staggered shapes in black.
History Of Use
Basket makers from the Sto:lo Nation suggested several possible uses for this basket. Wendy Ritchie identified this basket as a type of colander. She noted that the hole in the bottom, and the darker stains around it, suggest that something was rinsed inside of this basket. The basket is also constructed with tightly made coils, in a manner similar to water baskets, further suggesting to her that this basket was for washing or rinsing. She suggests that whatever was rinsed in it would have to be fairly large or it would fall through the hole. Wendy suggests that wool or maybe herbs were rinsed in it. Both Elizabeth Herrling and Minnie Peters suggested that this basket might be a flowerpot or planter and that the hole in the bottom is for drainage. Rosaleen George suggested it might be inverted an act as a lampshade.
Narrative
Amy Cooper attended the Coqualeetza Residential School where Dr. Raley, the collector of this collection, was principal. This basket is very similar in appearance to other examples of Amy Cooper's work which is present in the Sto:lo Nation's collection of baskets.
Item History
- Made by Amy Cooper ? (Maker) 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
- Colander Basket
- Identification Number
- A1890
- Type of Item
- basket
- Material
- cat-tail grass ?, cedar root and cherry bark
- Manufacturing Technique
- coiled and imbricated
- Overall
- height 16.5 cm, diameter 21.6 cm
Who
- Culture
- Coast Salish: Sto:lo: Soowahlie
- Creator
- Amy Cooper ? (Maker)
- 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
- 1960/0236