Basket Item Number: Ia9 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

The basket has a square base with the lower sides square flaring outward into a circular rim of bent wood. Dark brown colour.

History Of Use

Basket making remains a living craft among all the northern Luzon peoples. Baskets are used for household storage and for transporting produce from the fields to the habitation sites. Occasionally baskets were made for ceremonial use. Decoration was created with simple interlaced braids and a combination of weaves which also served to provide strength. Ifugao basketry shapes are believed to have been inspired by Chinese jars and pots traded into Luzon before the 16th century.

Cultural Context

Snail basket; possibly for sowing seeds.