Large Mid Columbia River Folded Cedar Bark Basket with Twine Handle

Early/Mid 20th Century

9.375″ H x 24″ L x 10″ W

A Rare Form Folded Cedar Bark Basket with a Twine Handle from the Columbia River and Included a Detailed Pamphlet

In Very Good Condition

Large Mid-Columbia River folded cedar bark baskets with twine handles are traditional utilitarian Native American containers, primarily associated with Chinookan, Sahaptian, and Salish peoples of the Columbia River region (including the mid-Columbia area).

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These were practical, often temporary or quickly assembled items made from strips of western red cedar bark (Thuja plicata). The bark was folded and woven (sometimes with plaiting or simple twilling for decoration or reinforcement) into a container shape. They typically feature handles or loops of cedar bark twine for carrying, along with tying loops. Construction was relatively simple compared to the more elaborate coiled cedar-root Klickitat-style berry baskets or twined forms common in the same region, making them suitable for on-the-spot assembly, portability, and use in gathering or storing foods such as berries.