Basket Item Number: Nb11.346 a-b from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Small, cylindrical basket (a) with a flat, fitted lid (b). Natural colour. At base of lid is red/purple band. Lid top has purple centre surrounded by blue ring and orange broken line ring. At mid-point, basket has faded blue diamond pattern. At base is band of red/purple. Bottom of basket is checker work (plaiting), surrounded by grass twining.

History Of Use

Before European contact Nuu-chah-nulth baskets were predominately undecorated, all-purpose containers. Checkerwork bags and pouches were used for whaling and fishing gear. Finely woven baskets held liquids and were used to boil food by adding heated stones. By the mid-19th century, when missions and trading posts were well established on the Northwest Coast, the manufacture of functional basketry declined and the Nuu-chah-nulth began to make small decorated 'fancy' baskets for sale. These baskets are characterized by realistic and less frequently, geometric designs. Up to the 1890's Nuu-chah-nulth basketry is open wrapped twined, checkerwork and plain twilled. After this date most are close wrapped twined.

Cultural Context

made for sale

Item History

What

Name
Basket
Identification Number
Nb11.346 a-b
Type of Item
basket
Material
cedar bark, bear grass ?, grass and aniline dye ?
Manufacturing Technique
wrapped twined, twined and plaited
Overall
height 5.7 cm, diameter 9.0 cm

Who

Culture
Nuu-chah-nulth
Previous Owner
Dorothy Ladner and Edna Ladner
Received from
Dorothy Ladner (Donor) and Edna Ladner (Donor)

Where

Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
Made in
Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

When

Creation Date
before 1976
Collection Date
during 1900
Ownership Date
before April 12, 1976
Acquisition Date
on April 12, 1976

Other

Item Classes
basketry
Condition
good
Accession Number
0299/0027