"In-Out" Basket

"In-Out" Basket

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Description
The process of manufacturing such baskets is called "sewing," but it is actually a process of binding and coiling long strands of grass. In the wetlands, two kinds of grasses are used; "sweetgrass," and more recently, black rush, also known as "bullrush." Strips of oak wood, or palmetto fronds are used to bind together long bundles of grass, which are then coiled into a particular shape. Makeshift tools, such as broken-off spoons, flattened nails, or cow ribs are used for the coiling and binding process. Sometimes, colored grasses or pine needles are used in the show baskets, although the use of sweetgrass, bulrush, and palmetto is standard.
Today, the role of the men and boys is to gather the materials, the women do the weaving and market the baskets. Until recently, baskets were sold from family-operated roadside stands, but increasingly, they are sold at county fairs and cultural festivals. Many of the older women regarded basketmaking as a carefully guarded community secret, but many of the younger women give basketmaking seminars to people from outside of the communities. The women of an earlier generation were not always comfortable with the term "gullah", younger women tend to recognize its historical and cultural value.
Today, the baskets are for domestic and decorative purposes, rather than agricultural use, and there is a much wider variety of shapes than when baskets were used on the plantations. Some coil weaving produces wall decorations, ladies' hats, and men's caps. Although there are no fixed rules for terminology, certain shapes are often given specific names. Some of the named shapes are for placing utensils inside the baskets.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
Basket
in-out basket
Date made
1970
Place Made
United States: South Carolina, Mount Pleasant
Physical Description
grass, swamp (overall material)
leaf, palmetto (overall material)
coiled (overall production method/technique)
Measurements
overall: 47 cm x 27.5 cm x 28 cm x 28.6 cm; 18 1/2 in x 10 13/16 in x 11 1/32 in x 11 1/4 in
ID Number
CL.298252.18
collector/donor number
C.26.1
accession number
298252
catalog number
298252.18
subject
Blacks
African American
See more items in
Home and Community Life: Ethnic
Cultures & Communities
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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