Coiled basket (yiQus)
late 19th or early 20th century
Often passed down through generations as family heirlooms, baskets were mainly produced during the winter months, after families moved from the temporary food gathering sites back to the winter houses. Weavers would lay out plant fibers previously processed, dried and dyed, and with tools such as the awl, begin weaving baskets for domestic and ceremonial use.
Cedar root, horestail, beargrass, red huckleberry
12 x 13 x 10in. (30.5 x 33 x 25.4cm)
Gift of Vi Hilbert, in honor of the 75th Anniversary of the Seattle Art Museum
2005.176
Provenance: Artist; Anderson family, Washington; Vi (Anderson) Hilbert, Washington, until 2005
Photo: Susan Cole