Weekly Chemawa American., January 21, 1910, Image 1

IQeekly gbemawa Jflmericarc
VOL. 12 JANUARY 21, 1910. NO. 28
Indian Baskets.
Basket weaving among the Indians of
California and other western states has
been developed into a rare art and some
beautiful specimens have been perfected
by these people, says Mrs. M. Burton
Williamson in the Los Angeles Times.
It is remark able that these people, with
out the various appliances of art, should
develop an industry that appeals to the
most esthetic taste.
As we are aware, collecting Indian bas
kets as a fad rinds its votaries not alone
among people of abundant means, but
lovers of artistic handicraft will forego
many so-called necessities in order to
purchase these specimens of the Indian
woman's skill.
Asa diversion, collecting fine speci
mens of Indian basketry requires more
taste, critical acumen and knowledge of
what should constitutes "choice speci
men' than the average person would
conjecture. Dr. J. W. Hudson, who
lived for 20 yeirs near the Porno Indians
in Mendocino county, California, and
made a rare' collection of their baketry,
'ays there are "10 graded rules'' ih t
basket expert mu-t be cognizant of if lie.
or she, would obtain the best samples;
these are: "Weave, symmetry of outline,
of stitch, or thread, delicacy of thread,
material, pattern, ornamentation, gen
eral effect and size."
We are beginning to see that the
finest products of basketry are the out
ward expression of admiration of beauty
in the heart of the weaver. Nature revels
in variation, so these simple children of
nature unconsciously follow in her lead
and give textile expression in endless
patterns of basketry. For adepts in dis
cerning and collecting baskets tell us
. there are no duplicates.
Besides furnishing her own pattern
being limited only by tribe distinctions
of technique and ornamentation the In
dian woman mast needs collect her own
material, searching the woods, mountains
and canyons for the particular plant hei v
fastidious taFte requires for her own
creation, Whether these be Sitka spruce,
three-leaf sumac, willow, tule or other
plant.
We are also suprised to learn that the
fine-t, specimens of basketry va not
made for barter and exchange, but for
tin delight of the maker.
The expert specalizes in judging the
.merits of a basket, whilo the novic mere-