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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

Connecting Diamonds Jar with Lid and Handles

Design Description

Very large connecting diamonds, one row of full diamonds above and one of diamond halves below, all around the basket. Diamonds are joined at each point including the top with the bottom. Diamonds are composed of three lines; red in the centre, surrounded on either side by black outlines.

Length

27 cm

Width

27 cm

Height

35.5 cm

Shape and Use

This would normally be referred to as a "nut shape"; its large size is reminiscent of an ancient storage jar, and certainly this was its purpose. Indeed, with its tight weave it would have been capable of storing water, though there is no evidence that it was used for this purpose; lid is fitted, having a deep inner lip for a secure closure; lid handle is a rounded knob of coiled cedar root in centre; handles are of sturdy hide, but are not attached in a manner which would support heavy loads.

Weave

Coiled bundled; imbricated.

Materials

Split cedar root; inner bark of the chokecherry (naturally red, dyed black); cured hide (probably deer hide).

Culture

N'laka'pamux, most likely North Bend or Lower Fraser Canyon.

History

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

Notes:

Bottom is coiled.