Arctic Baskets

The Artic Culture Area includes the Aleutian Islands, most of the Alaska Coast, the Canadian Artic, and parts of Greenland. It is an area which can be described as a “cold” desert. Geographer W. Gillies Ross, in his chapter in North American Exploration. Volume 3: A Continent Comprehended, writes:

“The North American Arctic is usually considered to be the region beyond the northernmost limit of tree growth.”

P1090346

The shaded area on the map shown above shows the Arctic culture area.

Shown below are some of the baskets from the Arctic that are on display in the Maryhill Museum of Art near Goldendale, Washington.

Western Alaska Native Baskets

Shown below are baskets made in the 1970s by unknown Alaska Native artists. These appear to have been made for sale to non-Natives.

 

P1090366 P1090361 P1090362 P1090363 P1090364 P1090365

Yup’ik

P1090368

Shown above is a lidded basket made in the 1970s by Mary K. Atti.

Eskimo Baskets

According to the Museum display:

“Typical Eskimo baskets were coiled using wild grasses. When weavers began to make baskets for sale, designs were added in wool yarn and other materials.”

P1090409

Aleut Baskets

According to the Museum display:

Aleut basket makers were known for their fine weaving and delicate designs. The baskets were twined of wild rye grass and decorate with wool yarn, silk embroidery thread, or feathers. Weavers took their designs from both traditional and modern sources. Wallpaper patterns and candy boxes are among the sources cited.”

Lidded baskets were generally made for the tourist trade.

 

P1090426 P1090411 P1090412 P1090414  P1090420 P1090421 P1090422

P1090428 P1090427

Baleen Basket

According to the Museum display:

“An elastic, horny material, baleen forms the fringed jaw plates of some whale species, and is used to strain plankton and other foodstuffs out of the sea.”

P1090415

 

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*