Atistraliaii Dilly Baskets. 



89 



Museum. In the one figured, No. 7430, from Queensland, the weave is quite open, and 

 the basket at the mouth measures 8.5 in., is 12 in. high, and 14 in. between the points. 



The handle, attached to one 

 side onl}', is of white strip 

 long enough to go over the 

 shoulder. The other speci- 

 men is larger, measuring 

 10 in. at the mouth, 14 in. 

 high, 16 in. from point to 

 point. In both the handle 

 is securely fastened to three 

 of the regular ribs and to 

 an additional rib inserted 

 for strengthening this at- 

 tachment and extending 

 only half around the basket. 

 The choicest of all the 

 Australian baskets are those 

 known as "Dilly Baskets" 

 and used to carry the small 

 tools and treasures of the 

 owner. Three are figured 

 in Fig. 86 and another in 

 Fig. 90. Seldom of large 

 size, they sometimes are 

 very small; in one figured 

 by Etheridge {loc. cit.^ p- 5) 

 the length is only 6.7 in., 

 and the mouth only i in. 

 in diameter. This little bas- 

 ket was decorated by first 

 coating the entire surface 

 with Indian red pigment 

 and then with lighter red, 

 white and yellow, the orna. 

 mentation was completed. The Australian Museum possesses this gem of Australian, 

 basketry. Of the three dilly baskets shown in Fig. 86, the first. No. 8741, is 9.5 in. 

 long, and 5.5 in. in diameter. The strudlure is loose but strong, of a grass-like fibre 



PIG. 89. AfSTRALIAN BASKETS. 



