Basket

Description

This rectangular basket has vertical, slightly curved sides and a flat bottom. It has a basketweave construction, a heavy band reinforcing the rim, and no handle. The basket's exterior was painted with a pattern of blue leaves and pink blossoms, which have since faded to green and light pink and remain only faintly visible. Although previously thought to have been made by artists in the Shaker community of New Lebanon, New York, research indicates baskets of this type were frequently made by Native American artists living nearby. Shaker communities either purchased and used or resold these baskets, and wove their own along similar designs. This basket was likely made by a Pequot basket maker in Connecticut.