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Narrative

Unknown origin; assumed to be Coast Salish - possibly collected on Vancouver Island. Donated to Craigdarroch Castle in 1960 by a Victoria resident, Dorothy M. Ketchen (1891-1974); no information was received from the donor regarding how she obtained it. In 2023 it was deaccessioned from the Castle's collection and offered as a transfer to MOA, since the staff were unable to identify the source community of the basket.

Description

Large, kidney-shaped, hand-woven basket; cedar slat construction, wrapped with cedar root; decorated with alternating stipes of imbrication in black and red cherry bark and pale yellow grass. Small half-circle handles attached near top edge at each end. Fourteen vertical stripes around all sides of basket; each set consists of 2 bark, 2 grass, 3 bark, 2 grass, 2 bark, some in black bark and grass, others in red bark and grass. Remains of secondary handles at both corners of the indented side (small root remains in four holes at one end; holes are empty at other end.) Old repair runs along the top edge on the outer side.

History Of Use

Based on the size and unusual shape, the basket was likely used with a tumpline attached at the corners of the indented side, for use in collecting plant materials. The indented side would rest around the user's body, while a tumpline would free their hands for collecting.