This is a lidded Native American sewing basket made of splint, probably ash wood, with braided sweetgrass roping. Judging by the general appearance of the basket, I would estimate that it dates to the 1910s-1920s. It was made by hotsell a member of, most likely, an East Coast Native American Indian tribe, perhaps Micmac, Pasamaquoddy or Penobscot but it might even be Iroquois, I'm not sure. This sewing basket is fairly large, measuring 7 1/2” by 11 3/4” but it is not deep, measuring 2 3/4” in height to the top of the lid. The bottom is made of latticed splint while the lid is extensively woven with braided sweetgrass over straight splints. Braiding sweetgrass is very labour intensive, so this basket would have taken many many hours to complete. It is in very good condition - one of the ends of the lid's handle is detached and has lost its looping, but one may be able to repair this. Otherwise, the basket is in very nice condition and displays very well as is. This is an exceptional example - many hours of work went into making this wonderful example of Native American Indian handwork!
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Product code: Antique Native American Lidded Sweetgrass Basket Passamaquoddy Penobscot hotsell Wabanaki