Basket Item Number: A2.636 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Square flared coiled basket (bifurcated stitches) with parallel slat base construction. Imbricated "diamond" design (incomplete shapes) in red bark and grass on upper half of basket, on three sides. Short bands of diagonal lines, in darker bark, three on short sides, six on one long side. Fourth side has four checkered vertical lines in red bark and grass.
History Of Use
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.
Item History
- Made in British Columbia, Canada
- Collected 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
- Basket
- Identification Number
- A2.636
- Type of Item
- basket
- Material
- bark, reed grass, spruce root and wood
- Manufacturing Technique
- coiled and imbricated
- Overall
- height 18.8 cm, width 27.2 cm, depth 23.2 cm
Who
- Culture
- Tsilhqot'in
- 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
When
- Collection Date
- between 1893 and 1934
- Ownership Date
- before November 1948
- Acquisition Date
- during November 1948
Other
- Item Classes
- basketry
- Condition
- fair
- Accession Number
- 1960/0626