Historic Fancy Baskets

Emily Love
Emily Love, c. 1910

 

“My Grandmother simply says, ‘Well, here is the material. Here are the gauges. Here is the knife. Learn how because that will come in handy when you grow up and have a family. You watch and see.’”

—Madeline Shay, Penobscot Master Basketmaker in Kathleen Mundell, Basket Trees, Basket Makers (1992).

 

Knitting Basket

Knitting Basket

Penobscot
c. 1920
Anonymous lender

 

Napkin Rings

Napkin Rings

with porcupine curls
Penobscot
c. 1920
Loaned by Margo Boyd and Stephen Bicknell

Knitting Basket

Knitting Basket

with Hong Kong cord
Passamaquody
c. 1930
Loaned by Margo Body and Stephen Bicknell

 

Acorn-shaped Sewing Basket

Acorn-shaped Sewing Basket

with porcupone curls
Mi’kmaq
c. 1940
Anonymous Lender

 

Fancy Purse

Fancy Purse

Passamaquoddy
Loaned Margo Body and Stephen Bicknell

Glove Box

Glove Box

Passamaquoddy
Loaned by Margo Boyd and Stephen Bicknell

Comb Box

Comb Box

Mi’kmaq
Loaned by Margo Boyd and Stephen Bicknell

 

Handkerchief Basket

Handkerchief Basket

Passamaquoddy/Penobscot
Loaned by Margo Boyd and Stephen Bicknell

 

Poplar, Maple and Ash Roses

Poplar, Maple and Ash Roses

Mi’kmaq
Loaned by Margo Boyd and Stephen Bicknell

 

Corn-Shaped Basket

Corn-Shaped Basket

Penobscot
Loaned by The Abbe Museum

 

Button Basket

Button Basket

Maliseet
Anonymous Lender

 

Sewing Basket

Sewing Basket

with braided sweetgrass ropes
Penobscot
Anonymous Lender

 

Powder Puff Holder

Powder Puff Holder

Attributed to the Gabriel Family
Passamaquoddy
Loaned by The Abbe Museum

 

Stationary Basket

Stationary Basket

Attributed to the Gabriel Family
Passamaquoddy
Loaned by Navajo Rug Restortations

 

Fancy Berry Basket

Fancy Berry Basket

with standard diamond curls
Jane Zumbrunnen
Mi’kmaq
Loaned by Micmac Images

 

Curly Bowl

Curly Bowl

with standard diamond curls
Attributed to Philomene Nelson
Penobscot
Loaned by The Abbe Museum