E0259: Inuit- Basket

Ethnographic

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Identifier:

E0259

Classification Category:

7:Distribution & Transportation Artifacts ➞ Container

Materials:

botanical ➔ fiber
animal ➔ hide/skin ➔ leather

Dimensions:

19 cm L
1 cm W
5 cm H

Provenance of Object:

This object was held in the museum that Luther College started in 1877. This museum eventually grew into the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, and following this, non-Norwegian American ethnographic objects were returned to Luther and accessioned into the college’s Anthropology Collection. Without additional documentation, was likely obtained by the Luther College Museum (later the Norwegian-American Museum) between the late 19th century and early 20th century.

Use/Function:

Since there are very few trees in the Arctic Tundra, most baskets made by the Inuit were made from various types of grasses. Baskets were used to carry objects and food.

Source Locality:

Alaska, USA

Description:

Shallow, coiled Inuit basket.

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