Another of Kenny Keezer, Passamaquoddy's newest little baskets! It has alternating purple and natural (undyed) ahs weaver "stripes" with slant curls at the top and bottom of the stripes. Kenny Keezer is the youngest son of well known, much acclaimed and awarded basketmaker, Clara Keezer (d). It is 2.5" in diameter and 3" tall to top of basket lid; 3.25" total height at top of it's bow handle.

This basket is made of brown ash splints, the traditional material of Maine and Eastern Canadian Wabanaki basketmakers. This has some purple dyed splints used as weavers on the lid and basket bottom - It has braided tidal sweetgrass used for weavers on the outer edge of the lid. It also incorporates plain tidal sweetgrass to wrap the rim of the basket. Tidal sweet grass grows on tidal marshes within view of the Keezer home in the most Northeastern corner of this country... The land and people of the dawn- The Passamaquoddy reserve near Eastport Maine where the dawn hits this country first. The grass here has been picked, dried, combed and braided by Kenny.

The overhanging lid has the bottom rim bound with plain tidal sweetgrass. On the top of the basket (inside) Kenny has placed a braid of sweetgrass like his mother Clara did with most of her baskets. (See in the 4th photo - showing basket with lid set on the rim) The bow ribbon handle such as the one on the lid is another signature technique that Clara used on many basket she made.

Kenny Keezer is the youngest son of much honored Clara Neptune Keezer (1930-2016), a Passamaquoddy basket maker who was a winner of a NEA 2002 Heritage Fellowship award for her basketry work. Kenny learned basketry from his mother and incorporates many of her signature styles into his work.

Last photo is of Kenny (in orange shirt), his mother Clara Keezer and brother Rocky. A family picture I took on one of my visits to their home in Sipayik previous to Clara's passing. - Basket dated &b signed on bottom "Kenny Keezer" - "2024". The signed card shown in photos will be included inside the basket.