Quinault Basket

ca. 1910

5 1/8"H x 6.5"W

Excellent Condition

The Quinault, a Coast Salish people from the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State, have a rich basketry tradition that’s both functional and beautiful. These baskets come from the hands of the Nlaka’pamux and Quinault artisans, who’ve been weaving them for centuries along the Quinault River and Pacific coast. They’re typically twined or coiled, using materials right from their backyard—cedar bark, spruce roots, bear grass, and cherry bark. The classic Quinault twined basket, especially the older spruce root ones, is sturdy and a bit stiff, with a slightly rounded shape, taller than wide. You’d see vertical or diagonal patterns—maybe zigzags or bands—often with a geometric rim band, and sometimes braided cedar loops for carrying. Coiled versions, like those with raffia or cedar root, popped up more in the early 20th century and can have tighter, more decorative weaves.