December 24, inoo] 



SCIENCE 



933 



technics comes tlie necessity of uniformity in 

 classification and terminology — that confusion 

 may be avoided, and investigations be so re- 

 corded as to make possible scientific deduc- 

 tions, relationships of technics — and possibly 

 of peoples. 



The accompanying key to basketry, though 

 in condensed form, is presented here with the 

 thought that it may prove as helpful to the 

 ethnologist unfamiliar with the work, as it 

 has to the writer in serious study of collec- 

 tions from many parts of the world. An en- 

 larged issue, fully explained and amplified, 

 will appear later. 



Acknowledgment must be made to the two 

 authors who have previously treated basketrj- 

 classification — Otis T. Mason and J. Leh- 

 mann — whose works have made it possible to 

 take a step in advance, and record in clearer 

 and more definite form this key to the teehnic. 



The classification recognizes three kinds of 

 basketry — plaited, woven and coiled ware, the 

 division being based upon their construction 

 or building process, as the elements plait, 

 weave and coil. The fundamental process of 

 the three distinct technics is easily discerned 

 upon -slight examination. 



Plaiting constructs a mat-like surface by 

 means of active elements only, which move 

 over and under each other in regular order. 

 No passive foundation elements are incorpo- 

 rated, neither are new elements added after 

 the completion of the base, as those already 

 furnished continue to plait the body of the 

 basket. 



Weaving is known by its upright warps ex- 

 tending from base to upper edge, as the sur- 

 face is constructed on these passive warps, 

 crossed by an active binding element, or weft. 

 Two types of weaving — checked and twilled 

 wicker — are less easily recognized because of 

 the equal size of the warp and weft, but even 

 here the distinct weft element added at the 

 base may be traced encircling the basket. 



Coiling can easily be distinguished by the 

 spiral movement of its elements. This con- 

 sists either of an active element, or of a pas- 

 sive element bound down by an accompanying 

 active element. 



Tliis key approaches Mason's classification 

 nearest at types of weaving, although here 

 there are differences. Mason entirely excludes 

 plaiting as a basketry process, while his types 

 of coiled ware are based upon the components 

 of the internal element — the foundations. The 

 composition of the inner element is the last 

 consideration, and a later division than is 

 shown on this condensed key. 



KKY TO II.\8KETKY TECII.MC 



I. Plaiting of Crossed Active Elements 

 A. Parallel elements in two directions. 



1. Over and under one Clieeked Plaiting. 



2. Over and under more than one. 



Twilled Plaiting. 

 15. Parallel elements in more than two directions. 



Lattice Plaiting. 

 II. Weaving of Active Across Passive Elements' 

 \. Parallel warps in one direction. 



1. Weft interlaced Wicker Weave. 



«. Warps coari=er than weft, 



Plain Wicker Weave. 

 h. Warps of same size as weft. 

 '/'. Over and under one. 



Checked Wicker Weave. 

 h'. Over anil under more than one, 



Twilled W'ieker Weave. 



2. Weft twined. 



«. Weft of two .ttrands. 



a'. Over one warp .... Plain Twine Weave. 

 6'. Over two warps . Twilled Twine Weave. 

 t). Weft of three strands. 



a'. Plain weft .... Three-ply Twine Weave, 

 )/. Braided weft. 



Braid Three-ply Twine Weave. 



.'J. V\"eft wrapped Wrapped Weave. 



15. Parallel warps in more than one direction. 



1. Weft interlaced .... Lattice Wicker Weave. 



2. Weft twined. 



o. Warps oblique, 



Oblique Lattice Twine Weave. 

 h. W"arps vertical and horizontal, 



Vertical I-attice Twine Weave. 

 .3. Weft wrapped .... I>attiee Wrapped Weave. 

 TIL Coiling of Active Element or of Active 

 Along Passive Element 

 A. Active element only. 



1. Weft spiral Spiral Lace Coil. 



2. Weft twisting Twisted Lace Coil. 



3. Weft interlacing Interlaced T,aoe Coil. 



' Aetivf. clr.incntM are weft. P.t-sIvp flementg 



warp. 



