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• Introduction
• The N'laka'pamux Territory
• About N'laka'pamux Basketry
  and the work of James Alexander Teit (1864-1922)
• The Pearson Basket Collection at the LCM
  • The Baskets
  • The Collection
• N'laka'pamux Basketry Making Today
• Conservation of the Baskets
• N'laka'pamux Basket Makers
• Glossary of Terms
• Bibliography
• Acknowledgements

Crosses in Diamonds Open Basket

Design Description

A series of diamond outer shapes with crosses inside; three along each length side, and one on each end or width side. The colours alternate; a red cross inside a red diamond with white fill, then a black cross inside a black diamond, with white fill.

Length

31 cm

Width

52 cm

Height

17.5 cm

Shape and Use

Most likely a "carrying" or "shopping basket." Rectangular and relatively shallow with four small handle holes, one near each corner positioned on the length sides. Too shallow for a tumpline, it was likely designed to be carried by hand with longer handles, similar to a purse. Good condition; no apparent use or disuse.

Weave

Coiled bundled; imbricated; bottom is made of slats.

Materials

Split cedar root; inner bark of the chokecherry, naturally red, dyed black; bear grass, sun-bleached white.

Culture

N'laka'pamux or its immediate influence, most likely Lower Fraser Canyon but possibly, because of the larger weave and the use of cedar slats, as far south as the mouth of the Fraser River. See note below.

History

Donor: Mrs. Aida Freeman; collected by her mother Mrs. Kathleen Edith Pearson Southwell.

Notes:

This could include any of the following aboriginal peoples of the Lower Fraser River, such as the Tait (Yale), Musqueum, Tswassen, Kwantlen, Katzie, or any of the Chilliwack groups known collectively as the Sto:lo Nation. Many of these peoples are thought to have been influenced by the N'laka’pamux weavers.