Trinket Basket Item Number: A7617 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Tan basket with simple interlocking coiled work (bifurcated stitches), parallel slat base foundation with single reinforcement stitch, and an overcast rim looped to form two handles. Decorated with imbrication and beading. Imbricated discrete cross-shaped figures arranged in three horizontal rows in red cherry bark/cat-tail grass and in black-dyed bark/cat-tail grass staggered. Middle row in red cherry bark/cat-tail while the others are in black cherry bark/cat-tail.

History Of Use

Coiled basketry traditionally had many uses. It was used for storage of foods, medicines and personal belongings. Some baskets were used for cooking and boiling water, while others had more private uses. Haeberlin and Teit (1928) suggest that in the past not all women were basket makers, but that the skill became more widespread during the early and middle twentieth century when basketry was highly collectible and it became a source of income for many local First Nations women. Basket making declined after the 1950s, but it is still present in many Coast Salish communities and interest is growing.

Cultural Context

basketry

Item History

What

Name
Trinket Basket
Identification Number
A7617
Type of Item
basket
Material
cedar root, dye, cherry bark and cat-tail grass ?
Manufacturing Technique
coiled and imbricated
Overall
height 5.1 cm, width 7.6 cm, depth 5.7 cm

Who

Culture
Coast Salish: Sto:lo ?
Previous Owner
William Rowe and Margaret Ades
Received from
Margaret Ades (Seller) and H. R. MacMillan (Funding source)

Where

Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
Made in
British Columbia, Canada
Collected in
Harrison Lake, British Columbia, Canada ?

When

Creation Date
during 1881
Collection Date
during 1881
Ownership Date
before August 17, 1961
Acquisition Date
on August 17, 1961

Other

Item Classes
basketry
Condition
good
Current Location
Case 29
Accession Number
0055/0059