Posted 8 years ago
aacampbell
(3 items)
Hi. I purchased some baskets recently that included a small oval wood basket (birch?), trimmed with a white-colored material that may be quills. The basket is 5 1/4" long and 3" wide. Please see the pictures provided. I would like to know if there is a specific region or tribe that made these baskets, and when they were produced? Thank you for your help!
Traditionally, birchbark and quill baskets were made by tribes in the northeastern U.S., from Maine to the Great Lakes, and by neighboring tribes in Canada. That would include the Micmac, Ojibwe, Ottawa, among others. The use of a solid band of undyed quills, like on this basket, is usually associated with Ojibwe and Ottawa basketry.
However, unless you know the name of the individual who made this, there is no way of knowing what, if any, tribal affiliation is involved. Today there are hundreds of web sites giving details on how to make birchbark and quill baskets, and numerous books, as well as kits with the materials already prepared available through craft supply shops and on line. So it could have been made by anyone, and could have been made last year, or 50 years ago. There really isn't any way to tell positively.
It could safely be called Eastern Woodland, or Ojibwe, or Ottawa "style," but I don't think it can be definitely identified with a particular tribe. Your title "Birch Bark and Quill Basket" says it best.
Thank you Canyon Road -- this is extremely helpful information - and taught me something about birch baskets. I appreciate the time you took to summarize this response.