Large Thompson River Rectangular Basket with Handles

Early 20th Century

Size: 7.5″ x 15.25″ ( with Handles) 16.25″L x 9.5″ W

Nlakapamux (Thompson River people), an Interior Salish group in southern British Columbia, around the Fraser and Thompson River valleys. Theyve been perfecting their basketry for generations, and its a craft thats both practical and artistic.

These baskets are typically coiled, made from cedar roots, which are tough yet flexibleperfect for the job. The real magic happens with the imbrication, a technique where they fold decorative materials like cherry bark (in red or black) and bear grass (white or dyed) over the coils to create patterns. Youll see designs like zigzags, triangles, arrows, or even starburstseach one telling a story or marking a familys style. Theyre not just pretty; theyre built for usethink burden baskets for carrying goods, trays for serving, or lidded boxes for storage.

Back in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, these baskets became trade gold as European settlers rolled in after the 1858 gold rush. The Nlakapamux adapted, making pieces that appealed to newcomers while keeping their traditions alive. Sizes varysmall ones might be 3×5 inches, while big storage trunks can hit 15×26 inches. Condition matters too; older ones often show wear or native repairs, adding character.