This fantastic addition to the Daly House collection comes from Margaret Masar of Orofino, Idaho. She was a resident of Brandon back when the Museum was operating as The Maples children’s home. The story she tells is that the basket was given to her grandfather,Lt. Col. Francis Joseph Clark and was intended as a cradle for her uncle, William Francis McKinnon Clark. William was born on Aug 5, 1909 which makes the basket approximately just over 100 years old. Lt. Col. F.J. Clark had a distinguished military record, serving in the 1885 Northwest Rebellion, the Boer War in South Africa and leading a battalion in World War I. He later became a vibrant member of the community in Brandon’s foundling years, continuing his service to the arts and municipal affairs.
Baskets of this kind are traditionally made from willow, ash or birchbark. This bassinette is woven with wicker, made from willow. Baskets are traditionally made starting with the base and working around the sides. The branches of the chosen wood would be picked and dried before production began. They would then be re-hydrated to make the branches pliable and workable during the weaving process.
Basketry extended into the making of many other materials used daily including fishing nets, animal and fish snares, cooking utensils that were so finely woven that they were waterproof, ceremonial costumes and baskets, and even plaques.
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