Baskets, though relatively plentiful in wet sites on the North-west Coast of North America, have been relegated to the sidelines in discourses on ancient art traditions. The archaeological specimens, which are mainly waterlogged and fragmentary, lack colours, and those with ornamentation have geometric motifs that can be difficult to distinguish from technological characteristics. In contrast, the indigenous art for which the North-west Coast culture area is famous, highlights representational motifs and principles of composition that may not be compatible with weaving. Several recent finds prompt me to suggest that some precontact baskets from the Coast Salish region merit being considered art in the classic sense. An intentional style, aesthetic qualities, and coherent principles of design combine to achieve harmony with societal meaning. For example, an exquisitely constructed, basket-cradle communicates that the weaver—or more likely the baby in the cradle—belonged to a wealthy or high-status family. That meaning is communicated through perfectly prepared material, skill of execution, balanced proportions, bi-lateral symmetry, rhythm, unity, simplicity, and texture.

Ornamentation, though not necessarily art nor necessarily good design, does occur on many Coast Salish archaeological baskets and aspects such as motif, placement, and composition may comprise a style with cultural associations. Ornamentation that is aesthetic (done well and skillfully and finely adjusted to the form and purpose of the object) may be an element of a work of art. The challenge is to recognize it. Duplication in other media provides clues about intentionality and examples exist, notably chevron and zigzag patterns on contemporaneous basketry and stone artifacts. Although these might signify imitation or replication, it is tempting to propose that basketry shares some underlying concepts with other forms of North-west Coast art. Future research of North-west Coast basketry as art should be directed toward exploring commonalities in principles of design.

Location

Norcroft Centre, University of Bradford