Basket Item Number: Nd616 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Coiled basket with bifurcated stitches; elongated watch-spring base construction; partial imbrication; beading on base. The design from the bottom to top: vertical lines alternating with four zigzag lines in red on bullrush ground; two rows of four vertical lines alternating with four zigzag lines in bullrush on plain background; figures alternating with four zigzag lines in red on bullrush; horizontal zigzag line along rim in red on bullrush. Four rawhide ties. Colour: tan.

History Of Use

Burden basket. Tsilhqot’in weavers made coiled cedar-root baskets imbricated with cat-tail grass and cherry bark (for the darker designs). Animals, figures and geometric designs in bands are worked into their sometimes playful designs in bullrush and cherry bark on cedar root. Baskets were used extensively in communities for carrying, storage and cooking and for trade and sale to non-natives. Today baskets continue to be valued in First Nations communities for their cultural importance and continue to be used as gifts, in trade and are made for sale.