Work Basket Item Number: A3101 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Coiled cedar root basket decorated with discrete vertical stripes of checkerboard pattern alternating in black-dyed bark / white cat-tail and red bark / white cat-tail. Pattern continues three-quarters of the way down the basket with a red/white horizontal line as a border. The rim is decorated with beading in cat-tail grass. Parallel splint base construction and partial imbrication.
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
Iconographic Meaning
According to the collector's catalogue this basket is decorated with a pendant design. It is also similar to the cluster of flies design, except that the design features interlock.
Item History
- Made in British Columbia, Canada before 1934
- Collected in Yale, British Columbia, Canada 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
- Work Basket
- Identification Number
- A3101
- Type of Item
- basket
- Material
- cedar root, cherry bark, cat-tail grass ? and dye
- Manufacturing Technique
- coiled and imbricated
- Overall
- height 26.7 cm, width 41.9 cm, depth 31.8 cm
Who
- Culture
- Coast Salish: Sto:lo
- 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
- Collected in
- Yale, British Columbia, Canada
When
- Creation Date
- before 1934
- Collection Date
- between 1893 and 1934
- Ownership Date
- before November 1948
- Acquisition Date
- during November 1948
Other
- Item Classes
- basketry
- Condition
- good
- Current Location
- Case 7
- Accession Number
- 1960/0363