kaayd hllngaay skaayxan (Basket)

About this object

History of use

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.

Cultural context

domestic storage; cooking; transport

Specific techniques

Walls and lid; 2 ply z-twist twining, paired warp, base mixed twining and plaiting (alternating rows). Rim of basket and lid; 3 ply twining z-twist.

Physical description

Basket made of woven spruce root with a circular shape as viewed from the top. The basket base (a) has warps radiating from the centre point. The walls are done in plain twining decorated with a wide band of red-brown weft around centre of basket. The base rim is three-ply twining with the warps cut off. The lid (b) has warps radiating from the centre point and is decorated with a concentric circular pattern with a raised row of reversed twining. The lid rim is three-ply twining with the warps cut off.