Object
ID
|
98.01.32
|
Cultural
Affiliation
|
Paiute (Timbrook Date) |
| Date
of Manufacture |
1920-40 (Fowler 2006) |
| Place
of Manufacture |
Either Walker River, Reno, or Pyramid Lake where? -- no farther north than that (reference?). |
| Manufacturing
Technique |
The weaving technique used to create this object was twining. Twining is the most common basketry technique found in the Great Basin. Twining begins with a foundation of rigid elements, called the warp, around which two or more flexible elements, called the weft, are used to encircle the warp element. The wefts are separated, brought around a stationary warp rod, brought together again, and twisted. The action is repeated again and again, building the basket (Basket Weaving Techniques 2006). The material used for the warp in this basket is willow, the material used for the weft is split willow and black bracken fern (Timbrook Date). Two twining methods were used to produce this bottle basket, plain twining and diagonal twining.
Plain twining is the most common method and is used in utilitarian baskets. In the plain twining method takes two threading elements (weft) are woven under and over the warp, one on the underside of a rod (warp) and one on the topside. As the weft elements meet after passing over and under the rod they are twisted and the process begins again. Diagonal twining allows for a more decorative surface; and is achieved when the threading elements (weft) are passed over two rods (warp) rather than just one and then twisted.
(Basketry Techniques: Twining)
|
| Materials |
Willow, split willow, and black bracken fern (Timbrook Date). Willow trees are found primarily on moist soils in cooler zones in the Northern Hemisphere (Wikipedia 2006). Black bracken fern grows on burned-over areas, in woodlands and other shaded places, and on hillsides, open pastures, and ranges in sandy or gravelly soils. Found in the Pacific Coast States, as well as in the Northeastern, Southeastern, and Midwestern States (USDA 2006). |
| Function |
Made for sale, the technique or weaving over a glass bottle/jug is a way to showcase the weaver’s impressive skill. (Timbrook). |
| Designs/Symbolism |
Designs/Symbolism: Simple and geometric, traditional, with no particular meaning (Fowler 2006). |
| Size |
(in inches for ethnographic objects, in cm for archaeological artifacts) Diameter 5 in. Height 10.25 in. Mouth of Bottle 1.5 in |
| Other Information |
The weaver may have been left handed: the stitches have the opposite slant of other Northern Paiute weavings. The rim finish also appears to be left handed, as the warps are carried to the left (Fowler 2006). |
| References |
"Basketry Techniques: Twining." Basket Makers. Accessed 30 Mar. 2006
<http://basketmakers.org/topics/bytechnique/twined/twiningtech.htm>.
"Basket Weaving Techniques." The Language of Native American Baskets from the
Weavers' View. Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. Accessed 30 Mar. 2006 <http://www.nmai.si.edu/exhibitions/baskets/subpage.cfm?subpage=tech_tech>.
Fowler, Catherine S. "RE: Collections Research." E-mail to Sarah Wagstaff. 10 Mar
2006.
Timbrook, Jan. "Jan Timbrook Report." On file, USU Museum of Anthropology Date?
"Western Bracken Fern (Pteridium aquilinum)." USDA Agricultural Research Service.
Accessed 30 Mar. 2006 <http://www.ars.usda.gov/Services/docs.htm?docid=9859>.
"Willow." Wikipedia the Free Encylopdia. Accessed 30 Mar. 2006
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willow>. |
|
