Burden Basket Item Number: A5067 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Small rectangular, flared, coiled basket (bifurcated stitches) with parallel slat foundation. Imbricated rim inn canary grass with intervals of dark cherry bark stitches. Beaded from rim almost to base in canary grass, with wide vertical row of chevrons, alternating between dark cherry bark and canary grass, one on each side.

History Of Use

Burden or work basket. 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; utilitarian

Item History

What

Name
Burden Basket
Identification Number
A5067
Type of Item
basket
Material
cedar root, canary grass, cherry bark and dye
Manufacturing Technique
coiled and imbricated
Overall
height 13.2 cm, width 21.2 cm, depth 17.3 cm

Who

Culture
Coast Salish: Sto:lo: Tait
Previous Owner
Anna J. Beecher and Frederick L. Beecher
Received from
Frederick L. Beecher (Donor)

Where

Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
Made in
Laidlaw, British Columbia, Canada ?

When

Creation Date
before 1911
Collection Date
between 1885 and 1911
Ownership Date
before 1952
Acquisition Date
during 1952

Other

Item Classes
basketry
Condition
good
Current Location
Case 7
Accession Number
2004/0037