Basketry

An enduring art form
Since ancient times, Northwest Coast weavers have made baskets from cedar and spruce roots, cedar bark, cattail leaves, bear grass, and other local plant materials. These traditions are being carried on by a new generation of weavers who have learned these ancient skills from their elders and are now also studying baskets housed in museum collections. Today, commercially made objects have often replaced the cooking vessels, berry and clam baskets, rain gear, dolls, and trunks that were once made of basketry. However, baskets continue to be made and used as storage containers, for sale as a source of income, and for clothing and regalia to be worn on special occasions that celebrate life and culture. The Burke Museum cares for well over 5,000 Northwest Coast basketry objects, both old and new. Several of the newer pieces have been inspired by the old baskets in the Burke Museum's collection.

Basketry List:

Twined Bag
Pat Courtney Gold, Wasco/Warm Springs
Hungarian hemp warps, cotton wefts, chenille wefts, suede, 2000
Purchased with funds donated by Lawrence Christian
Cat. No. 2000-122/1

Owl Basket
Woven by Janice Criswell, Haida/Tlingit, painted by Steve Henrikson
Spruce roots, acrylic paint, 2001
Purchased with funds donated by Lawrence Christian
Cat. No. 2001-26/1

Mountain, Lightning, and Icicle Basket
Ed Carriere, Coast Salish (Suquamish)
Cedar root, bear grass, wild cherry bark, horsetail root, 1992
Purchased with Putnam Endowment funds
Cat. No. 2007-5/1

Basketry High Heels
Lisa Telford, Haida
Red and yellow cedar bark, 2006
Commissioned by the Burke Museum
Cat. No. 2007-7/1

Basketry Loafers
Lisa Telford, Haida
Red and yellow cedar bark, abalone buttons, 2007
Commissioned by the Burke Museum
Cat. No. 2007-7/2

Ancient-Style Basketry Hat
Karen Reed, Coast Salish (Puyallup)/Chinook
Cedar bark, 2000
Commissioned with funds donated by Lawrence Christian
Cat. No. 2000-124/1

Basketry Hat
Isabel Rorick, Haida
Spruce roots, 1999
Purchased with funds donated by Lawrence Christian
Cat. No. 2001-8/1

Frog Hat
Woven by Primrose Adams, Haida; painted by Alfred Adams, Haida
Spruce roots, acrylic paint, 1990s
Gift of Arthur B. Steinman
Cat. No. 2004-2/47