kaayd hllngaay skaayxan (Basket)

Basketry filled a vital need as containers for storage, domestic use and transportation of goods. Some had multiple uses; others were made for specific functions. After European contact, used for trade and sale items. Forms have been altered to meet European tastes. Basketry making was and is a women's art.

domestic storage; cooking; transport

Basket and lid woven with 2 ply twining z-twist. Strawberry weave is name commonly given to the technique of alternating weft colours in plain twining. The natural and dyed wefts can be alternated in a way that either vertical or diagonal lines result. Raised, spiral diagonal designs on lid and sides of basket in diagonal twining.

Circular basket (a) with lid (b) and pedestal type base. Bowl of basket has warps radiating from central point. Walls are decorated with alternating light brown and faded blue stitches with twelve vertical zigzag patterns. Narrow lip extends 0.8 cm. from body and is decorated with row of faded blue stitches at outer edge. Inner rim extends 1.5 cm. above lip, edge of rim finished in row of twining with warp ends cut off. Pedestal base is decorated with row of faded blue twining and row of alternating light brown and faded green stitches on its outer edge. Band of alternating purple and light brown stitched at bottom of pedestal. Pedestal decorated with alternating red and light brown stitches. Rounded lid has tall knob and rim. Knob decorated with alternating vertical rows of green and light brown. Rim decorated with concentric bands. From base of knob, bands are; plain light brown; five rows of raised green stitches alternating with light brown; seven rows of alternating light brown and light red stitches with seven spirals in light red and light brown; six rows of alternating light brown and blue stitches with five spirals in faded blue and light brown; outermost band has eleven rows of alternating light brown and green stitches with three v-shaped designs and one diagonal design formed by alternating rows of light brown and green stitches. Rim is decorated with alternating light brown and green stitches which form vertical rows. Bottom edge is finished with row of twining, two stitches green alternating with one stitch light brown, warp ends are cut off.