Baskets Turn 100!

The following post is from Brittany Britton, Nealis Hall Native American Collection Curator:

​The Nealis Hall Native American Collection ranges from the mid 1800’s to the late 1970’s. That is quite a stretch of time!

With the New Year we wanted to celebrate a selection of baskets dating from the 1920’s who are turning 100 years old. The display includes a selection of 8 baskets from 1920, and paired with 4 birthday cards from the 1920's from our Clarke collection.

---

What did baskets see in the 1920's?

West wall of Clarke Memorial Museum, 1960

By this point in time weavers in our area would have been weaving for trade for over 40 years. Weavers sold their baskets to Brizards and other dealers in the region. They were also visited by outside curio trade interests to take baskets outside of the area for the growing curio trade.

Nettie Ruben, Elizabeth and Louisa Hickox would be in their heyday of weaving for trade, as well as other numerous weavers represented here.

These baskets are representative of the strength and durability of the weavers craft, surviving in such good conditions over the last 100 years. In the previous iteration of the Clarke Collection housed in the Bank Building, parts of the  collection had hung on the wall for 20+ years before Nealis Hall was built. 

The baskets moved from weavers hands, through trade systems, living in people's homes, and finally here to the Clarke Museum. We are grateful to celebrate a 100 years for these baskets, as well as the 2,500 other items celebrating birthdays ranging from 50 to 170 years. 

Come on down to see more information on the baskets, and see them in person! This exhibit will be open Arts Alive Saturday January 5th, and through the month of February when we reopen to the public. 

---