Ethnology Collection - Sewing Basket

Creativity at Work

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Something amazing happens when a skilled artist sets out to create an everyday object. This sewing basket, with its hanging balls, decorative rosettes and nesting bird, is the culmination of centuries of basket-making skill. Imagine the patience and attention to detail that’s required to make a work of art like this one. The basket also demonstrates the remarkable qualities of ash as a basketry material. Both strong and supple, ash splints are equally well-suited to fashioning sturdy work baskets and fine, decorative pieces like this one.

Object type: 
Sewing Basket
Object #: 
1978.71.2 A,B
Collection name: 
Curator: 
Date (age/made): 
19th Century
Origin/place: 
Nova Scotia
Materials: 
Ash splints, sweet grass, cotton fibre
Dimensions: 
130 mm x 80 mm x 45 mm