Posted 5 years ago
Libbyanne
(1 item)
Hello everyone,
This is my first time posting here.
This is something that I picked up from auction and it was buried underneath a box full of stuff.
Never thought much about it at first but took a closer look and saw how finely it had been woven so I thought I should take a look online.
Clearly I’m way over my head and I haven’t a clue as to where or what this basket is.
Because of my geographical location ( Nova Scotia,Canada) I can only assume that there is a huge chance that it is Native Mi’kmaq. I may be completely wrong but just guessing because of where we are located.
If anyone can put me in the right direction I’m hoping it’s the site.
Thank you for any information at all.
Northwest Indian basket. A little research may reveal what tribe. Very nice find.
The basket is a twined cedar and beargrass basket, made by several tribes in the Pacific Northwest, in Washington state, and neighboring British Columbia. That would include the Nootka (now known as Nuu-chah-nulth), Makah, Quileute, Quinault, Chehalis, and others.
Since the exact tribal source is usually not known, and only subtle differences, or knowing the name of the weaver, can sometimes help identify the tribe, these baskets are often just called Makah, or Makah-type.
This type of basket was widely made as a popular souvenir item, even back in the 1890s, so they can end up anywhere. So it's never good to assume that where a basket is found is any indication of where it was made.