Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number

CAS 0370-0818   CAS 0370-0818; Miniature basket
Category Basketry
Object Name Miniature basket
Culture Pomo
Global Region North America
Country USA
State/Prov./Dist. California
County Mendocino, Sonoma, Lake
Other Geographic Data unknown
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1930-1950
Collection Name Elkus Collection (Native American)
Materials Willow (Salix sp.) shoots; Sedge (Carex sp.) roots; Acorn woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus) feathers; Mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos) feathers
Description Small round gift basket with flat base and rounded sides that taper in at rim; Coiled on 3-rod foundation; Exterior is completely covered in featherwork with a pattern of 3 small triangles in green mallard duck feathers on a background of red acorn woodpecker feathers. [In 1977 Pomo basketweaver Mable McKay, commented that this basket’s bottom is open, so the spirit would not stay in, thus signifying that the weaver needed to see further into the dream that first inspired this basket.]
Dimensions (cm) Height = 1.1, Rim Diam = 1.6, Max Diam = 2.5