Twined ceremonial basket cap; Hupa, Yurok, Karuk
early 20th Century20th Century
4 in. x 6 3/4 in. (10.16 cm x 17.15 cm)
Native American, Native American
Object Type:
Baskets
Creation Place:
North America, United States, NW California
Medium and Support:
Hazel or willow warp shoots; conifer root weft; woodwardia fern dyed with alder bark, bear grass and maidenhair fern overlay materials; string on edge
Credit Line:
Gift of Laurette Schorcht in honor of Doris Dennison, Music Director, Dance Dept. 1939-1972
Accession Number:
2005.135
Size: 6 ¾ in diameter, a good size to be worn
Technique: Twined basket. Spotty overlay on the interior, hard to say if they were going for full or half-twist overlay, probably half. It is dominantly a bear grass overlay cap with woodwardia and maidenhair accents in the flint design. It’s my understanding that it is more unusual to “red” used in a “yellow” cap.
Design: Looks like a Karuk variation of the flint design as described by Kroeber on page 126-130. There are lifelines present and 3 design elements in sets of 2 (6 total).
Structure: This cap has a lot in common with 2005.134. The button is not as flat on this cap, but it is still a very good weave that is very strong with a nice overlay technique. The edging is really clean and well-trimmed. The interior is a bit rougher with some spotty overlay peeking through, could indicate a less experienced hand. No visible hairs on this one. There is some string in two spots on the rim (see photos) which could indicate it was hung or displayed here.
Cultural affiliation notes: A classic Hupa, Yurok, and/or Karuk ceremonial cap.
Citation: Kroeber, Alfred L. “Basket Designs of the Indians of Northwestern California.” University of California Publications in American Archaeology and Ethnology 2, no. 4 (1905): 105-164
Jesse Dutton-Kenny, Visiting Researcher, October 26th - 27th & 29th - 30th, 2020
Technique: Twined basket. Spotty overlay on the interior, hard to say if they were going for full or half-twist overlay, probably half. It is dominantly a bear grass overlay cap with woodwardia and maidenhair accents in the flint design. It’s my understanding that it is more unusual to “red” used in a “yellow” cap.
Design: Looks like a Karuk variation of the flint design as described by Kroeber on page 126-130. There are lifelines present and 3 design elements in sets of 2 (6 total).
Structure: This cap has a lot in common with 2005.134. The button is not as flat on this cap, but it is still a very good weave that is very strong with a nice overlay technique. The edging is really clean and well-trimmed. The interior is a bit rougher with some spotty overlay peeking through, could indicate a less experienced hand. No visible hairs on this one. There is some string in two spots on the rim (see photos) which could indicate it was hung or displayed here.
Cultural affiliation notes: A classic Hupa, Yurok, and/or Karuk ceremonial cap.
Citation: Kroeber, Alfred L. “Basket Designs of the Indians of Northwestern California.” University of California Publications in American Archaeology and Ethnology 2, no. 4 (1905): 105-164
Jesse Dutton-Kenny, Visiting Researcher, October 26th - 27th & 29th - 30th, 2020
Dimensions
- Height and diameter Dimensions: 4 x 6 3/4 in. (101.6 x 171.45 mm)
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