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Preview image of work. ash and sweetgrass,  Mini Knitting Basket 37316

2018.13.35

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Mini Knitting Basket

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Artist

Artist Unidentified (Penobscot)

Title

Mini Knitting Basket

Creation Date

ca. 1950 -1960

Century

mid-20th century

Dimensions

5 x 5 1/2 in. (12.7 x 13.97 cm)

Object Type

textile/natural fiber

Creation Place

North America, United States, Maine

Medium and Support

ash and sweetgrass

Credit Line

Anonymous Gift

Copyright

This artwork may be under copyright. For further information, please consult the Museum’s Copyright Terms and Conditions.

Accession Number

2018.13.35

These two baskets not only demonstrate traditional Wabanaki weaving techniques, but they also evince other textile practices such as knitting and sewing. The lidded basket, which was used to store small amounts of wool and knitting needles, combines strips of black ash and braided sweetgrass, two of the most common Wabanaki basketmaking materials. Its interior features a bright raspberry dye, indicating that it was once a vibrant red. The open basket may have been used to hold thimbles, spools of thread, and other sewing tools. It is also made of split ash and features decorative strip curls around its neck and porcupine curls at its base. Although the exterior is faded, its interior shows signs that it was created with purple and orange dyes as further embellishment. This label was written for this object and an open sewing basket, 2018.13.38

Object Description

No Hole in Cover

Per donor Gretchen Faulkner (11/19/2020) this small knitting basket is Penobscot (look at the top where the hole is in the basket.  Is there a ring around the hole that has a star wrap? The star wrap indicates it is Penobscot) This would date c. 1950-60.  It has Hong Kong cord rather than braided sweetgrass, which helps to date the piece.

Additional Media

Additional Image side
side
Additional Image overall, opposite side
overall, opposite side
Additional Image side, alternate view
side, alternate view