Clara Keezer Passamaquoddy Basket Natural Ash Braided Sweetgrass
$650.00
Clara Keezer Passamaquoddy Basket Natural Ash Braided Sweetgrass
The Wabanaki tribes of Maine, many of whom lived inland during winter and on the coast in the summer, began making fancy baskets in the late 1800’s. Fancy baskets are more delicate than the utilitarian baskets made for carrying goods. The tribal members sold their wares to vacationers in the coastal resorts. This design dates to the Victorian era, when ladies brought their handkerchiefs in their trunks to their summer residences or hotels.
Clara Keezer, a Passamaquoddy Indian born (1930 – 2016) was one of the women who kept the art of fancy basket making alive into the present. With the demise of coastal travel by the Indians, and the loss of the market, demand for fancy baskets dropped. Women like Clara Keezer held onto their basket making traditions, made innovations in designs, and shared their skills with younger generations.
For the purist who loves the natural look of black ash and sweetgrass, we have a round basket with curls dating from 1999. Some consider these undyed baskets to be the pinnacle of traditional Wabanaki basket making. Clara was one of the top weavers working in this fashion, incorporating ash in its natural state, adding curls and braided sweetgrass as adornments.
5 inches in diameter x 5 3/8 inches high, including finial.
Out of stock
Clara Keezer Passamaquoddy Basket Natural Ash Braided Sweetgrass
The Wabanaki tribes of Maine, many of whom lived inland during winter and on the coast in the summer, began making fancy baskets in the late 1800’s. Fancy baskets are more delicate than the utilitarian baskets made for carrying goods. The tribal members sold their wares to vacationers in the coastal resorts. This design dates to the Victorian era, when ladies brought their handkerchiefs in their trunks to their summer residences or hotels.
Clara Keezer, a Passamaquoddy Indian born (1930 – 2016) was one of the women who kept the art of fancy basket making alive into the present. With the demise of coastal travel by the Indians, and the loss of the market, demand for fancy baskets dropped. Women like Clara Keezer held onto their basket making traditions, made innovations in designs, and shared their skills with younger generations.
For the purist who loves the natural look of black ash and sweetgrass, we have a round basket with curls dating from 1999. Some consider these undyed baskets to be the pinnacle of traditional Wabanaki basket making. Clara was one of the top weavers working in this fashion, incorporating ash in its natural state, adding curls and braided sweetgrass as adornments.
5 inches in diameter x 5 3/8 inches high, including finial.
| Weight | 1 lbs |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 10 × 10 × 10 in |
