Basket Item Number: 3489/22 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Pyramid-like basket, with oval-shaped opening and rectangular base. Has an attached, fitted lid, that covers the top third of the basket. Basket and lid are naturally coloured and woven in alternating sections of horizontal and vertical chevrons. Top of lid has a raised rim, made of rattan(?) strips, with another oval-shaped strip in the centre. Basket lid is shaped with two exterior coils of rattan(?), attached to the lid with dark brown plant fibre. Basket itself is shaped with exterior coil of rattan(?), along the top edge, and two rods along each side. All are tied to the basket with dark brown plant fibre. Two additional rods are intertwined through the basket, to secure braided straps. Rods form an “M” shape on the front and an upside down “U” on the back. Some sections of the “M” and “U” are only visible from the interior of the basket. Straps are attached to the front centre of the basket and form a “V” shape. The straps extend overtop of the basket and loop through the rods on the basket back. Lid is attached to the basket at the front. Braided plant fibre, tied to an exterior coil on the lid, loops through the basket straps, forming a hinge. Basket has a short foot, identical to the lid top- made of rattan(?) strips and an oval-shaped strip in the centre.
Carrying basket; worn like a backpack, with straps over the shoulders.
Acquired by the donor in 1976-1978, when he lived and worked in Sabah, on the island of Borneo, as a volunteer with CUSO International.