From the Hands of a Weaver: Olympic Peninsula Basketry through Time

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Description

For millennia, Native artists on Olympic Peninsula, in what is now northwestern Washington, have created coiled and woven baskets the usage of tree roots, bark, plant stems—and meticulous skill. From the Hands of a Weaver presents the traditional art of basket making a few of the peninsula’s Native peoples—particularly women—and describes the ancient, historic, and modern practices of the craft. Abundantly illustrated, this book also showcases the basketry collection of Olympic National Park.

Baskets designed primarily for carrying and storing food have been central to the daily life of the Klallam, Twana, Quinault, Quileute, Hoh, and Makah cultures of Olympic Peninsula for thousands of years. The authors of the essays collected here, who include Native people in addition to academics, explore the commonalities among these cultures and discuss their distinct weaving styles and techniques. Because basketry used to be interwoven with indigenous knowledge and culture all through history, alterations in the art through the years reflect important social changes.

Using primary-source material in addition to interviews, volume editor Jacilee Wray shows how Olympic Peninsula craftspeople participated in the development of the commercial basket industry, transforming useful but beautiful objects into creations appreciated as art. Other contributors address poaching of cedar and native grasses, and conservation efforts—up to date challenges faced by basket makers. Appendices identify weavers and describe weaves attributed to each and every culture, making this a very powerful reference for both scholars and collectors.

Featuring more than 120 photographs and line drawings of historical and twentieth-century weavers and their baskets, this engaging book highlights the culture of distinct Native Northwest peoples whilst giving voice to individual artists, masters of a living art form.

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