yiq́us (coiled basket)

Susan Bedal possessed an intimate knowledge of gathering and preparing natural materials from the prairies, meadows and forests of the Cascade Mountains and crafting those materials into masterful works. A dye created from berries found in the Sauk homelands produces the unique rose color seen on this basket in the triangular forms that represent butterflies. Bedal achieved visual balance through the placement and disposition of the designs on the surface of the basket by using an additive technique called imbrication. Some coiled baskets served functional purposes, but this decorated basket was made as a special gift and was considered a symbol of wealth.