UNIDENTIFIED NUU-CHAH-NULTH or MAKAH ARTIST
Geometric Design Basketry Woven Abalone Shell, 1920s
abalone shell, natural and dyed bear grass, cedar root, 1.5 x 4.75 x 3.75 in (3.8 x 12.1 x 9.5 cm)
unsigned.
unsigned.
Further images
Like the following work, this covered abalone shall is crafted with immense skill and exemplifies the Nuu-chah-nulth tradition of pika-uu or basketry objects made for the tourist trade. Wrapped in...
Like the following work, this covered abalone shall is crafted with immense skill and exemplifies the Nuu-chah-nulth tradition of pika-uu or basketry objects made for the tourist trade. Wrapped in tightly woven grass twine, instead of a pictorial scene, the artist has chosen a simplified, repeated pattern of banded colours. The process of its creation is a meticulous one that involves selecting both the natural fibres to achieve the perfect texture, cleaning and polishing the shell to maintain its smooth surface, and weaving the twine tightly around the shell’s curved form. This arduous craftsmanship demands exceptional dexterity and precision, ensuring the basketry fits snugly and beautifully around the shell’s unique contours.