2018.13.38
Open Sewing Basket
Artist
Artist Unidentified (Wabanaki)
Title
Open Sewing Basket
Creation Date
ca. 1900
Century
early 20th century
Dimensions
5 1/4 x 12 x 12 in. (13.34 x 30.48 x 30.48 cm)
Object Type
textile/natural fiber
Creation Place
North America, United States, Maine
Medium and Support
ash
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
2018.13.38
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 th at 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 and a mini knitting basket, 2018.13.35, which were displayed together in the exhibition.
Additional Media
side
overall, opposite side
side, alternate view