Cherokee double wall basket (purse)
Commercial round & flat reed, metal accents, macrame cord, butternut squash stem button - 9 hours
It has been 3 years since I have started taking on basket weaving as a serious craft. I've never been one to practice or study, nor do I like to, but when you enjoy something it's never really practice. This shape continues to be the most fun to weave.
Wedding basket, date unknown
Louisa Soap, Cherokee National Treasure Courtesy of the Louisa Soap Private Collection
Wedding baskets, like this one made from honeysuckle and dyed with walnut and bloodroot, are woven with two openings and used in a traditional wedding ceremony. When the bride and groom come together, the bride puts bread in one side and the groom puts meat in the other. This symbolizes their commitment to caring for their new family.
Honeysuckle baskets
Honeysuckle is one of the traditional materials that can be foraged to make Cherokee basketry.
The larger honeysuckle basket was woven by Louisa's sister, Mary Foreman, who was recognized as a Cherokee National Treasure for basketry in 1990. Together, they learned how to weave baskets and make beaded jewelry.
The miniature honeysuckle baskets were woven by Louisa Soap
Cherokee double wall basket, flat reed, half oval, gauge 0 & 3 round reed, all commercial.
I wanted something kind of wintery but would remind me more of plants than weather. I took inspiration from Lisa Baker's piece here, I'm not entirely sure if that is braided reed on the basket in the link but it gave me an idea to try out myself.
Granny's Helper, 1989
Bill Rabbit, Cherokee National Treasure | Courtesy of the Rabbit family private collection
Cherokee artists often draw on personal memories, history, and stories to offer a glimpse of Cherokee life from bygone days. This work in acrylic reflects reverence for Cherokee family life and culture as it uses a mixture of painting styles and techniques.
Fortune's Fandango, date unknown
Martha Berry, Cherokee National Treasure | Cherokee National Collection, Tahiequah, Oklahoma
Like other Native people originally from the Southeastern present US, Cherokees began using trade glass beads to create stunning beadwork designs on moccasins, belts, and bags. Usually made from wool and cotton as a foundation, bandolier bags are believed to be inspired by bags European men used to store their gun powder and ammunition. The bags, however, took on more significance as they became more ornate. They often were given as gifts to military leaders and diplomats as gestures of respect.
ᏏᏊ ᎠᏂ ᏔᎷᏣ ᎪᏢᏅ - Siwu ani taluj gohlvnv
See-woo ahɁnee tah-looj goh-hluh-nuh (like the u in fun)
"I made another strawberry basket recently"
Commission order - Strawberry basket purse, commercial round & flat reed, suede, macrame cord, antler button.
None of my baskets are going to look the exact same which is going to make specific piece orders interesting like this one. I expect to get more orders so I'm keen to see how I can make something different but still the same. If you would like to order one feel free to message me.
ᏕᏣᏓᎦᏎᏍᏕᏍᏗ, 2019
De-tsa-da-ka-se-sde-sdi (Deh-jah-dahk-seh-sdeh-sdee)
Keli Gonzales, Cherokee Nation | Courtesy of the Keli Gonzales Private Collection
Keli has always been fascinated with figures from Cherokee oral tradition, including Spearfinger, rendered in her artwork Y'all Be Careful (ᏕᏣᏓᎦᏎᏍᏕᏍᏗ) (English translation).
A shapeshifting creature said to prey on people and unruly children, Spearfinger was known for the long, knife-like finger on her right hand, which also was the location of her vulnerability.
"Female figures, whether they are monsters or human, are special to me and reoccur in my artwork," Keli said. "This work illustrates the moment of Spear-finger's demise."
Buckbrush basket, date unknown, Maxine Stick, Cherokee National Treasure
While rivercane grew in the Cherokee Reservation, it wasn't abundant. Cherokee weavers quickly learned to create baskets from round reed made from the buckbrush runners they encountered in the new territory. This lidded basket was woven from buckbrush and decorated with bloodroot and black walnut dyes.
Cherokee National Collection, Tahlequah, Oklahoma
Three Running Deer, date unknown
Cecil Dick, Cherokee National Treasure | Cherokee National Collection, Tahlequah, Oklahoma
The namesake of one of the seven Cherokee clans, deer are respected in Cherokee culture for their gifts to humanity. Early people hunted deer for food, hides, and other natural materials to make tools and weapons. Deer still inspire Cherokee artists as it did for the late Cecil Dick in this gouache watercolor on paper.
Sequoyah Indian Weavers' Association memorabilia, date unknown, creator unknown
Cherokee National Collection, Tahlequah, Oklahoma
Framed here are samples created by Sequoyah weavers. These samples reflect some of the colors and patterns that weavers could create through loom weaving. Some of the looms used in the past continue to be used by weavers and their descendants today.
George Lowrey, date unknown, artist unknown
Gilcrease Museum, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Prominent Cherokee statesman George Lowrey, born in Tennessee about 1770, is credited with many accomplishments. He fought in the War of 1812 and was Assistant Chief of Cherokee Nation from 1843 to 1851.
In this reproduction from an original oil painting, Lowrey is shown in his traditional clothing, wearing two wampum belts across his chest, a turban, a trade shirt, and a military-style gorget with a James Monroe presidential peace medal attached. His ears are split and stretched with beads and silver earrings, and a silver disc pierces his septum.
Not caring about the state of your language is like cutting out your grandmother's tongue, 2024
Keli Gonzales, Cherokee Nation | Courtesy of the Keli Gonzales Private Collection
The Cherokee language inspires much of Keli's work. Her grandparents, who are both first-language Cherokee speakers, encourage Keli and her family members to learn the language.
"Language learning is a noble task, and it shouldn't be taken lightly," Keli said. "Sometimes we need a good wake up call to be reminded of this."
