pika-uu (Basket)
About this object
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
Physical description
Oval basket (a) with flat-topped lid (b). Lid has rim of reinforced cedar bark. Grass twining foundation over three horizontal elements (cedar bark ?). Bottom of basket has rings of open area where two warp strands of grass cross one another. Body and lid of basket also have each, two rings of open areas where pairs of grass warp strands cross natural colour. Body of basket has dark purple band with yellow zigzag design at mid-point. Top of lid has dark purple oval with yellow zigzag design.
Categories
Materials
Date Made
Before 1976
Date Acquired
12 Apr 1976
How Acquired
Donated
Credit Line
Measurements
Overall: 3.5 x 7 x 10.5 cm
Object Number
Nb11.341 a-b