Unknown Maker, Native North American

“Mission” refers collectively to many tribes from Southern California, where Spanish Catholic missions were established in the late 18th century. Indians were gathered into the missions, where they were forced to give up their native customs. Basketry was promoted as a civilizing “industry” rather a response to tribal needs. The baskets made by Indian women in the missions reflect this uprooting. A traditional method (coiling), has been combined with new geometric patterning, unlike the baskets woven by nearby Yokuts tribeswomen with their stick figures and patterns taken from nature.

Gift of Edward B. Aldrich 18.065