Fine Makah - Nuu-chah-nulth Indian Basket Set

Napkin Ring and Trivit

Napkin ring 1 1/2" x 2" x 2"

Trivit: 5" x 3 1/4"

c. 1900-1910

Strong Colors - Superb Weave

Sewn together with a cotton thread, this is an early tourist type item which seems to have been commissioned as there are initials E.A.J. nicely woven into the ring.

A somewhat rare form and a museum quality example.

The Nuu-chah-nulth inhabit the west coast of Vancouver Island, the Makah, are located across the straight at Neah Bay, WA. Both tribes made very similar basketry.

The basketry is done in in the closed wrapped twining technique, usually using the inner bark of the red cedar for the foundation warp and stationery weft, and using beargrass (Makah) or slough grass (traditionally Nuu-chah-nulth although the materials are often traded between the two tribes), both of which can be dyed with natural or commercial dyes.