Basket Item Number: Nd650 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Coiled basket with bifurcated stitches; parallel splint base construction; fully imbricated. The base has been mended by re-weaving.The design from the bottom to top consists of a pairs of vertical stripes staggered and bordered by horizontal lines; alternating rows of shapes connected to zigzags giving a diamond effect; a row of discrete animal figures; concentric squares connected to three diamonds by a horizontal line; all in red on bullrush background. Two rawhide and two fabric 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.