COLLECTORS OF AMERICAN BASKETRY MASON. [4] 



II. Basket making. — Under this head are included all the activities 

 involved in construction, namelj^: 



1. Harvesting the materials. — This embraces descriptions of places, 

 the times and methods involved, as well as the tools and apparatus 

 used in gathering, 



2. Preparing materials. — Frequently the raw materials are stored 

 away until required. When the time comes for their use special 

 manipulations are necessary, such as peeling, splitting, making splints, 

 yarning or twisting, twining, braiding, soaking, gauging, coloring. 

 These should be noted carefully and described. 



3. Processes of manufacture. — The materials being ready, the maker 

 seats herself in the midst and begins the technic operations that 

 should be minutel}^ watched, and photographed, if possible. Collec- 

 tions should be made also of tools, apparatus, and patterns. The 

 processes of basket weaving are making braid, checker, wicker, 

 twilled, wrapped, twined, and coiled work, in checks, decussations, 

 meshes, stitches, overlaying, etc. 



III. Ornamentation. — This ma}^ be either in material, processes of 

 making, or in added substances. 



1. Form. — Especial attention should be paid to the aboriginal shapes, 

 since they express the Indian mind, and everything possible should be 

 done to discourage modern innovations. 



2. Color. — This ma}^ be either natural or artificial. Since the intro- 

 dijction of modern dyes, the old methods of coloring are being aban- 

 doned. The raw material of basketry and the processes of adding 

 color both demand attention. 



3. Designs. — This refers to all figures on the surface, whether in 

 color, in technic, or however produced. In fact, basketry is mosaic; 

 the elements are always geometric figures, those of the coiled type are 

 vertical, while those of other types are horizontal. 



IV. Symbolism and patterns. — Students of basketiy have shown 

 that almost every design serves as a key to Indian lore. The story, if 

 such exist, can not be made up from the elements as in hieroglyphics, 

 but must be taken down from the lips of the basket maker. How 

 important it is, therefore, that those collectors who are in touch with 

 basket makers should secure from them the precious information. 



V. Uses. — Baskets are used in food, dress, house, furniture, arts, 

 and industries, as expressions of aesthetic culture, in social customs, 

 and religion. From the cradle to the grave they are present. Only 

 the observer on the spot can be trusted to gather such information fullj^ 



VI. Ethnic varieties and culture provinces, ancient and 

 MODERN. — It will be of great value to the student of technology to 

 give the names of the tribes making basketry and to associate with 

 each example the name and locality of its maker's tribe. Also a list of 

 the varieties of basketry made by an}' tribe is of the utmost importance 

 in arriving at a correct opinion concerning the simple or composite 



