a) Twined, stepped zig-zag design in split conifer root; beargrass background; globular shape. B) Lid. A) and B) warped. Per Ralph Shanks: Twined storage-shaped basket with constricted mouth A) with a lid with handle B), probably made for sale. The following description is for A): slightly indented crossed warp starting knot. The warp material is probably hazel or willow. The weft material is conifer root. The weft overlay design is in beargrass. Starting at the starting knot, there is ⅓ inch of three strand twining, followed by 1 1/4 inch of plain twining, followed by four weft rows of three strand twining, followed by plain twining to the rim. The rim is trimmed. The lid B) has the same materials and techniques, with the exception of the twining which is from the starting knot: 0.5 inch of three strand twining, followed by plain twining to the rim. The handle on the lid is made of beargrass, over cordage. The main design includes on A) a horizontal zigzag band outlined in triangles. The overlay is single-sided, with the design on the exterior. Both baskets have a rightward work direction and an up to the right slant of weft twist. The basket is from Northwestern California.
Donor:
Hamlin-Jose Pony Express Foundation
Collection place:
Northwestern California
Verbatim coll. place:
California
Culture or time period:
Northwestern California tribes
Collector:
Hamlin-Jose Pony Express Foundation
Collection date:
September 1964
Object type:
ethnography
Object class:
Baskets (containers) and Twined weaving
Function:
1.5 Household
Accession date:
1964
Department:
Native California (archaeology and ethnology)
Dimensions:
a)— width 19 centimeters and a)— height 20 centimeters