Description
Rare Miniature Pictorial Nuu‑chah‑nulth Basket
Date: 1900–1920
A remarkably finely woven early Nuu‑chah‑nulth (or Makah) pictorial basket, notable for its miniature scale and unusually complex design work. Despite its small size, the basket displays exceptional technical mastery, woven in cedar bark with natural and dyed bear grasses at an impressive ~22 stitches per inch.
Materials & Dimensions
- Materials: Cedar bark; natural and dyed bear grasses
- Dimensions: 1 ¾” diameter × 1 ¼” height
Design & Iconography
The exterior features a rare twin sea‑monster motif, a design seldom encountered on baskets of this scale. The lid is decorated with a sun pattern encircled by an inner red band, adding strong visual focus and cultural resonance. An unusual structural detail distinguishes this example: the lid fits inside the rim of the lower section, a construction method seen only in select early pieces.
Condition
The basket remains in excellent, well‑preserved condition, with strong, stable colors and crisp definition throughout the weaving. Its combination of miniature size, pictorial imagery, and technical refinement makes it a standout collector’s piece within early 20th‑century Nuu‑chah‑nulth and Makah weaving traditions.
