Skip to main content
Exhibition History"Art of This Land," National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, February 1, 2009 - April 1, 2011.
ProvenanceBelieved to have been given as a presentation piece to James Bruce, 8th Earl of Elgin and 12th Earl of Kincardine, governor-general of Canada, by Chief Tumas Mesituapamuskan, Chief Jusep Kaknukus, and Chief Pasil Thishenapen in 1848, during Bruce's residency 1847-1854; descended in the Elgin family to the 11th Earl of Elgin and the 25th Earl of Kincardine, Dunfermline, Scotland
BibliographyVincent, Gilbert T. Masterpieces of American Indian Art. New York: Harry Abrams, 1995, p.29.
Vincent, Gilbert et al. Art of the North American Indians: The Thaw Collection. Cooperstown, New York: Fenimore Art Museum, 2000, p.99.
Phillips, Ruth B. "Like a Star I Shine: Northern Woodlands Artistic Traditions." In The Spirit Sings: Artistic Traditions of Canada's First Peoples, A Catalogue of the Exhibition, edited by Julia Harrison, 51-92, Calgary: Glenbow Museum, 1987, p. 44.
Fognell, Eva and Alexander Brier Marr, eds. Art of the North American Indians: The Thaw Collection at the Fenimore Art Museum, 2nd ed. Cooperstown, New York: Fenimore Art Museum, 2016, p. 108.
Culture
Innu (Montagnais)
Baskets
Datec. 1848
DimensionsOverall (Largest Basket): 2 1/4 × 7 1/2 in. (5.7 × 19.1 cm)
Overall (Smallest Basket): 2 1/4 × 5 1/2 in. (5.7 × 14 cm)
Object numberT0047a-k
Credit LineGift of Eugene V. and Clare E. Thaw
Photograph by John Bigelow Taylor, NYC
Label TextThis set of nested baskets is one of only two similar sets known to exist. (c.f. King 1982, fig.23) The two sets are in pristine condition and probably made on request. The set in the British Museum was acquired at a James Bay trading post between 1721 and 1742. The illustrated set was likely acquired in 1848, suggesting a continuation of such superb manufactures over more than a century. The bark of these baskets was cut so as to create an octagonal circumference, sewn together with split spruce root. The rims are reinforced by a wooden hoop wrapped with split spruce root, and interwoven with colored porcupine quills to form striped and checkerboard patterns. This type of decoration, as well as octagonal basket constructions, have been noted for the southern Innu peoples, with whom Lord Elgin is known to have been in contact. (From the Catalog of the Thaw Collection of American Indian Art, 2nd ed.)Exhibition History"Art of This Land," National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, February 1, 2009 - April 1, 2011.
ProvenanceBelieved to have been given as a presentation piece to James Bruce, 8th Earl of Elgin and 12th Earl of Kincardine, governor-general of Canada, by Chief Tumas Mesituapamuskan, Chief Jusep Kaknukus, and Chief Pasil Thishenapen in 1848, during Bruce's residency 1847-1854; descended in the Elgin family to the 11th Earl of Elgin and the 25th Earl of Kincardine, Dunfermline, Scotland
BibliographyVincent, Gilbert T. Masterpieces of American Indian Art. New York: Harry Abrams, 1995, p.29.
Vincent, Gilbert et al. Art of the North American Indians: The Thaw Collection. Cooperstown, New York: Fenimore Art Museum, 2000, p.99.
Phillips, Ruth B. "Like a Star I Shine: Northern Woodlands Artistic Traditions." In The Spirit Sings: Artistic Traditions of Canada's First Peoples, A Catalogue of the Exhibition, edited by Julia Harrison, 51-92, Calgary: Glenbow Museum, 1987, p. 44.
Fognell, Eva and Alexander Brier Marr, eds. Art of the North American Indians: The Thaw Collection at the Fenimore Art Museum, 2nd ed. Cooperstown, New York: Fenimore Art Museum, 2016, p. 108.
On View
On view
