Southern Appalachian Digital Collections

Western Carolina University (20) View all

Cherokee craft shop

  • wcu_cherokee_traditions-688.jp2
  • This 1938 photograph shows a Cherokee, North Carolina craft shop that features a large selection of Cherokee baskets. The baskets, including rivercane and white oak, have been made in a wide assortment of styles, sizes, and patterns. The large market baskets hanging from the ceiling were traditionally used for shopping and were capable of carrying heavy loads. The smaller baskets could be used as purses or "shoppers." The tall baskets on the background shelves were traditionally used to store domestic goods, from dry foodstuffs to clothing. The variation of dyes used to create the patterns on these baskets were produced using native plants, like black walnut root, butternut, bloodroot, or yellowroot. The photographer, from the North Carolina Department of Conservation and Development, is identified only by the name Sharpe.