Basket, Spruce Root - Inartaq
Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center > Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center Alutiiq/Sugpiaq Ethnographic Collection
2007.059.001
Spruce Root
Height: 8.5"
Circumference: 8.25"
19th century
Alutiiq
Prince William Sound, AK (attributed), ca. late 19th century, Alutiiq, Chugach (attributed).
Purchased on eBay from dealer "sittin45", person with the last name Barnard.
A twined spruce root basket with a rounded bottom, three levels of geometric decoration made in an reddish brown material (dyed spruce root?) using a false embroidery technique. The rounded sides and bottom of the piece, the form of the geometric design, and the use of various bands of twined skip stitch decoration in conjunction with the colored decorative material may indicate the origin as being Chugach Alutiiq/Sugpiaq. The oxidation of the spruce root may indicate that is an older piece. The rim has been cut, rather than ended with a strengthening weave.