Ethnology Collection - Ash Basket

A Family Affair

Mi’kmaw artisans have been making baskets since the 1700s. Often, entire families were involved. The men would usually prepare the wooden splints. Both men and women fashioned the baskets. And children were introduced to the tradition at an early age. In many ways, this square, checker-woven basket is typical of the ash baskets made in Nova Scotia in the early 1900s. But there are differences. The narrow side weavers and the wooden hoop, reinforced with splint and waxed linen thread, are unusual. So is the double-spoke construction and asymmetrical interior weave you see on the lid.