Basket Item Number: Nd647 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Coiled basket with bifurcated stitches; parallel splint base construction; fully imbricated. The design from bottom to top: double zigzag line; two rows of animal figures; three rows of checks; one row of animal figures; single row of zigzag; all in red on bullrush background. Six rows of bullrush beading on base. 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.