Basket Item Number: Nd622 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Coiled basket with bifurcated stitches; parallel splint base construction; overcast rim; partial imbrication. The design from bottom to top: alternating vertical checkerboard stripes and diamond meshes (five checkerboard diamonds); double row of diamonds staggered (honeycomb); animal figures; vertical stripes along rim; dark and light quill on rim. Wire splint. Colours: red, 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.