This is an astounding, large coiled grass lidded basket by Eskimo-Aleut Yupik artist, Nacy Edwards from Nunivak Island. The piece is accompanied by a postcard photograph of Nancy Edwards weaving another very similar Musk Ox lidded basket and is marked on the back Nunivak Nancy Edwards Musk Ox Basket $800.00 December 21, 2002, the postcard is copyrighted 1990. There is also a hand written letter from Dan Paynich of Great Falls, Montana inquiring about collecting another basket (presumably this basket) from Nancy, with a reply on the the back stating she is still crafted baskets, for $1,200 a piece, and will resume making after having her eyes checked in Anchorage, Alaska. There is a Nancy Edwards Nunivak basket in the collection of the British Museum Am1992,05.51.a-b from circa 1992 Mekoryuk collected by Jonathan C.H. King. It notes that Mrs. Edwards said she invented the overlay technique with beach grasses herself. The basket shows a large coiled hand woven beach grass fine example with two Musk Ox effigy figures, one on each side, done in deep purple and green dyes. The basket body also shows two stepped symbols in dark blue, two purple triangles and two geometric patterns showing a green cross below and above a red square with dark blue inside. The baskets perfectly fitted lid Shows a dark blue and maroon / purple top with two mask human faces with black borders, red faces and natural and black features. The basket is in truly fine well kept condition. Measures overall 12.75"H by 11.5" across / diameter. Total weight of 1lbs 4oz.