Lot 46

Chehalis Cedar and Beargrass Woven Baskets

Estimate: $250 - $500

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $5
$50 $10
$100 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$25,000 $2,500
$100,000 $5,000
Included in this lot is a pair of Chehalis cedar and beargrass woven baskets. For many centuries, two large groups of Salish-speaking people lived along the Chehalis River. They lived in cedar long houses with one end open to the water, from which they received a bounty of salmon and other river-based sustenance. These two groups were the Upper and Lower Chehalis, and they thrived for a long time, until the encroachment of white settlers forced them to give up their ancestral lands. Rejecting the unacceptable terms of the treaties offered by the US Government, the Chehalis were regarded as a “non-treaty” tribe. This meant financial aid from the government would be limited and unpredictable. The larger basket displays colors of pink, blue, black, red, purple, and cream colored inserts. The smaller basket features green and cream color inserts. Both of these baskets are in good condition, showing no signs of damage. The smaller basket measures 4" x 4" x 7". The larger basket measures 6" x 6 1/2" x 4 1/2".