Southern Appalachian Digital Collections

Western Carolina University (20) View all

Basket: rivercane, tray

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  • While it is not known who made this undated basket, it is a fine example of a traditional rivercane double weave typical of Eastern Band Cherokee. Lidded baskets such as these were used to store foodstuffs and household goods. The double weave makes for a tight basket; some double weave baskets are even waterproof. The basket and cover are rectangular, one fitting inside the other. The basket was woven from rivercane that was dyed with walnut and bloodroot, plants native to the region. The walnut-dyed rivercane is dark brown; the brighter orange color runs diagonally across both the top and bottom of the baskets. The design is known as Man in a Coffin or Chief's Coffin; a rectangle represents the "coffin;" the horizontal line within is the "chief." The base and lid of this basket are numbered separately, see QACM_1992_066.