Antique Wabanaki Yarn Basket

This is a small antique Wabanaki basket from the Northeastern US- specifically Maine into Canada. The Wabanaki tribes include the Maliseet, Micmac, Penobscot, and Passamaquoddy; their name means "People of the Dawnland." This classic 19th century basket was made to be part of a sewing kit, a popular tourist trade item. The form is specifically made to hold yarn or thread: the spool or ball of yarn would be stored below the lid and the end would emit through the hole in the lid to keep things tidy while working. This is fashioned of split black ash and sweetgrass. It measures approx  2.25” H x 4” W  4” D. This is a rare Victorian era piece that displays well and would look great in a collection with similar antique Wabanaki sewing basket items!

Fair Condition. This has breakage and some loss to accent stitching at opening. The weave is unravelling on one side as shown. 

Note: the black ash tree is rarely available as a basketry material in the 21st century due to a decline in wetlands, a required habitat for the tree. 

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