Posted 13 years ago
Tlynnie1942
(134 items)
This is a purse basket I got years ago, it was made in Maine by one of the Wabanaki tribes. It is still in great condition for it's age, it was probably made around 1910-1920 or before. This is the second basket I have gotten that has the Sweet Grass dyed as well as the Brown Ash splints. The other basket I have like that is a very old Urchin basket (around 1880) that has the Sweet Grass painted a mauve colored pink. This basket is 9 inches tall, by 7 inches wide. The splints are the smallest size, only 1/32nd of an inch wide and there is one place where there is a splint missing on the inside of the basket. I would think the break would be in the crook where the purse comes together to be closed but it is perfect there. Very nice example and I am happy to have this in my collection.
Enjoy the pics:)
UPDATE:
After closer inspection of the purse basket, I have noticed that the two splints that look like they have broken off, are not at all. The weaver instead placed them under the larger splint going downward. I do not know how I missed this. But it really does give the basket a different line as your eyes are drawn to that place on the basket and it does look like the tiny splints going sideways are broken when they are not. It reminds me of how many things that were made by the Native American had a place or two that were intentionally done different. And on some, like this basket (I have had this for almost 2 years now and just noticed it) it takes awhile to see that it really was not a mistake at all.