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This is a basket, likely Makah, from my mother-in-law's collection,
Nuu-chah-nulth (Nootka) are Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast who live in the southwest coast of Vancouver Island, Canada., and on Cape Flattery, the northwest tip of the state of Washington, U.S. The Makah people live on the very northwestern tip of Washington state. Both groups are master weavers and these baskets are examples of their outstanding work. Bear grass, or tlii-sikum in Nuu-chah-nulth, literally translates to the “white grass of Washington.” The Nuu-chah-nulth preferred to use this grass to weave baskets because of the hard, bright, shiny surface of the material.
This small basket has the signature Makah Cedar bark at the bottom, and is far more tightly and finely woven than other Makah baskets I've seen. The basket is woven in the traditional twining technique, and the striped pattern is still visible.
Dimensions are roughly 3" x 1.5" at the base, 1.5" height, and about 4.5" x 2.5" side to side at the top. The weaving is in perfect condition, and as mentioned is especially tight and fine. An interesting and very desirable piece for any Native American Indian basket collector.
Here's what I know about the provenance of this set. My mother in law bought the baskets in Rochester MN during the 1980s, from a young woman whose mom was an artist and/or seller. The mom had been living in Rochester with the daughter, but she moved back out west leaving behind a stash of baskets, carving, art and jewelry. Based on my research, I believe the mom was Makah and came from the Olympic Peninsula. She may have attended high school or art school in 1961. (See photo of pin which is not included in the sale, just for reference. The back of the pin says "Klee Wyk" which was the name of a pottery studio in NW Washington during the 60s.) Someone called my mother in law because they knew she liked "that Indian stuff" (indigenous art wasn't very popular at the time) and my mother in law bought everything she could afford, at fire sale prices.
The grouping included quite a number of baskets, handmade jewelry, an impressive but unfinished Makah cedar plank carving, two carved (also unfinished) rattles, and tourist items from the midwest, Alaska, the Southwest and Mexico. I wish I knew the name of the artist/seller, but I don't. If any collectors remember this person from way back in the day, I'd love to give her credit for this collection.
Many Makah baskets were sold at Pacific Northwest and British Columbia ferry stops, specifically Seattle, Vancouver and Victoria, in the 1930s. This one seems older than that, but I have no way to know for sure. Please feel free to make offers.
Please feel free to message me with questions (or information about the person who might have been the artist/seller.) Again, please note that the brooch is only pictured for provenance and is not part of the listing.)
As always, I try to donate a small percentage of sales to a worthy charity. For this ad, it's Kiva, an international micro-lending organization that does amazing work.
Thanks for your interest!
