Basket Item Number: Nd628 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Coiled basket with bifurcated stitches; elongated watch-spring base construction: partial imbrication. Two bands of triple-row zigzag along the top and bottom, flanking three rows of sets of three stripes (each three rows long); similar stripes are along rim; all in red on bullrush ground. String ties wrapped around a branch that encircles the outer top of the basket. 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.