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Preview image of work. ash,  Open Sewing Basket 37325

2018.13.38

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Open Sewing Basket

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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

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