Makah Neah Bay Abalone Shell Basketry

ca. 1920

2" H x 4.875" W x 6.25" L

Tightly Hand Woven Basketry of Geometric Bands Covering an Abalone Shell

Excellent Condition

The Makah people, an indigenous tribe of the Wakashan language group, have inhabited Neah Bay on the northwestern tip of Washington's Olympic Peninsula for thousands of years. Renowned for their whaling traditions and deep connection to the sea, the Makah have a rich heritage in basketry, which plays a central role in daily life, ceremonies, and cultural exchange. Basketry techniques among the Makah and their close relatives, the Nuu-chah-nulth (also called Nootka), emphasize twining— a method where weft strands are twisted around warp elements—using materials like cedar bark, spruce root, and bear grass. These baskets were essential for foraging, storage, and fishing, but in the 19th and early 20th centuries, they evolved into intricate art forms, including unique coverings for abalone shells.

Provenance:  From the Len and Toni Wood Private Collection, Laguna Beach, California