Basket Item Number: Nd613 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Red and tan coiled basket with bifurcated stitches; parallel split base construction; fully imbricated. The design consists of discrete vertical, triangular patterns and a checkerboard zigzags around rim; base is beaded in bullrush. Four string ties attached to a branch that encircles the basket and held on by twine.

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.