Antique Wabanaki Sweetgrass & Ash Splint Basket c.1900–1925

An antique Wabanaki ash splint and sweetgrass basket, probably dating to circa 1900–1925. The basket may be Mi'kmaq in origin, although without provenance it is not possible to confidently attribute it to a particular Wabanaki community.

This is an especially interesting example because of the extensive use of genuine sweetgrass. Much of the lower body consists of closely worked rows of twisted or braided sweetgrass, while the upper portion is woven from broad pinkish-red dyed wood splints, probably brown ash. The underside is also extensively woven in the faded red splint, with a circular sweetgrass detail surrounding the centre.

Sweetgrass and brown ash have a long history in the basketmaking traditions of the Wabanaki peoples of northeastern North America. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Wabanaki basketmakers produced both utilitarian baskets and decorative "fancy baskets" for local use and for the growing tourist market.

The amount of sweetgrass used in this basket is particularly noteworthy. Preparing and braiding sweetgrass was extremely labour intensive. By the 1920s and 1930s, Wabanaki basketmakers increasingly incorporated commercially produced Hong Kong cord as a substitute for braided sweetgrass, reducing the considerable labour involved in preparing the natural material.

The extensive hand-worked sweetgrass, together with the broad dyed splints, construction and naturally aged materials, is consistent with an early 20th century date, probably circa 1900–1925.

The use of dyed ash splints and sweetgrass is found in documented historic Wabanaki basketry, including Mi'kmaq examples from Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. The precise community of origin of this unmarked basket, however, remains unknown.

Measurements

Diameter: 6 3/4 inches

Height: 3 1/2 inches

Condition

The basket is in very good condition overall with expected wear and ageing to the natural materials. The red dye has softened and faded with age and there is a small broken splint at the bottom. Please refer to the photographs for details.

A fine early Wabanaki basket, particularly distinguished by the extensive use of hand-worked sweetgrass and its aged red and natural colouring.