Catalog Number: 1-507
Object Name: Basket
Made By: Twana
Used By: Twana
Found: Skokomish Reservation
Materials: Twined cattail leaves
Subject: Human figures, wolves, dog, western grebe, geometric details; see below
Dimensions: Diameter: 30 centimeters, Height: 28 centimeters
Dimensions (English): Diameter: 11.81 inches, Height: 11.02 inches, Weight: 3.71oz Donor: Gift of Carolyn McGilvra Burke
Date Received: July 11, 1932
Date Made: 19th century
Label: According to Bruce Subiyay Miller: The loops: the ears on the rim were originally used to lash a soft cover on the basket to keep the contents secure and intact. The braided finish proper: symbolized order and completion or closure. It is a finishing of the project so that there are no loose ends that allow the basket to unravel. The rim design: Wolves and Helldivers - the wolves gave the Twana man the life model that Puget Salish Society was based upon. They taught men loyalty to his people, the necessity of an orderly hierarchy, the importance of honor and family and that only the strong survive. The Helldivers, commonly known as the Western Grebe, symbolize swiftness and watchfullness. Their power to escape the enemy was the result of paying attention and watching for signs of danger. The Box in a Box: is a series of rectangles within each other symbolizing accumulated wealth as well as knowledge. The Wool Dog: is standing on top of the box design, and is a symbol of material wealth. This dog is the main emblem of the Skokomish Tribe. Crows Dishes: are the triangular shapes bordering the ends of the box design. They represent limpet shells split so that one half is on each side of the box design. During pre-human times when animals were people these were crows feast dishes. Puppy Pens: are the diamonds in the center of the box. They represent puppy pens where the wool dogs were raised. The puppy in the design is like the Hell Diver except the puppy faces to the left and the Hell Diver faces to the right. The Man Design: is the man surrounded by symbols that represent his culture. He is secure in the knowledge of his true identity; it gives him strength and a foundation for personal security. This has been his identity from the beginning of time.
Exhibition History: Southern NWC Case; A Time of Gathering; Coast Salish Exhibit
Published In: Berlo & Phillips. "Native North American Art" Oxford University Press, 1998.
Marr, Carolyn J. "Basketry Regions of Washington State" in American Indian Art Magazine, 4/1991.
Holm, Bill. "Spirit and Ancestor" UW Press, 1987.
Accession Data: Accession ID: 2617; Accession Date: 07/11/1932; Accession Type: Accession Gift