A miniature, it models an ancient utility basket intended to hold dry fish or meat, part of the winter food supply for an Aleut family. It is used to transport the food home while still allowing it to continue air drying in transit. 

The embellishment on this basket, several rows of openwork, simply identify the basket as one to be given to a specific family or individual. Though everyone shares the catch, rather evenly - or as much as they want - special cuts are frequently saved for the very young, or the elders. The design on the basket avoids confusion, ensuring its special delivery, to the proper recipient.

The size of the basket would depend on the catch of the day or number and size of the families sharing the dried catch. At the top of the basket braided loops are attached to, not woven through, a braided rim. A braided cord laced through the loops could be tightened, securing its contents against accidental spillage while still allowing access for additions to, or removal of, the contents.

Upon arriving home the Aleut might simply suspend the basket, with its contents, from the roof beams, in the "pantry". There, it would catch heat and moving air to finish drying the food while keeping it mold free and out of the light. Careful preservation would assure good food some months ahead. When empty, this basket would be recycled by soaking to cleanse, soften and flatten before being re-dried for repeated use in the field to transport abundance, and store it once more. Paper or plastic? 

This diminutive Aleut basket is woven of wild beach grass (Elymus Mollis) cured in the ancient Aleut way. It sports a bone ring, to aid in securing the bindings. If needed, such a basket could have been quickly woven with materials on hand, while still in the field. 1.375 inches X 1.375 inches.

Photo Gallery. By Lois Chichinoff Thadei. $225.00 (#1130)