 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
* Overall Surface: In immaculate clean fresh original condition.
* Maker: Unknown, but distincly made on Walpole Island.
* Overall Size: Depth 2.5 in, height 2.75 in, lid width 5 in.
* Type of Basket Material: Coiled sweetgrass of the highest quality.
* Age: It's dated to circa 1950, recognizable by its vintage style beadwork.
* Coloured Felt Sections: hard backing panels covered both sides in felt.
* Rare Condition: It's been stored away from the light-of-day for many years and it's in mint condition with a robust fresh scent of sweetgrass. You have our guarantee that this basket is old, original and from the 1950's.
Mint Condition Ca. 1950 Walpole Island Sweetgrass Basket
A Note of Interest: A native sweetgrass basket is small to medium in size, often round or oval, with a coiled construction that spirals outward from the center. The material itself is the sweetgrass plant, a long, glossy green grass that dries to shades of pale gold and soft olive. Each stalk is supple yet durable, and when bundled together and stitched into coils, the grass creates a firm but slightly flexible surface.
The basket has a smooth, silky texture from the polished blades of sweetgrass, with fine stitching often made from thread or natural fiber binding the coils tightly together. The weave tends to be neat, close, and uniform, giving the basket a sense of careful craftsmanship. Edges may be finished with extra braids or decorative patterns. While the lid and bottom may have felt covered panel sections along with
some decorative beaded elements.
What sets it apart from other baskets, however, is its magnificent fragrance. The aroma lingers for years, sometimes intensifying when the basket is handled, warmed, or gently dampened. For many Indigenous makers and users, this fragrance is deeply spiritual, as sweetgrass is one of the “sacred medicines” used for cleansing and blessing. The sweetgrass basket displayed here carries a distinctive irresistible sweet, vanilla-like scent, almost like a blend of fresh new mown hay and warm honey.
Holding one of these baskets is to feel something both functional and sacred: a vessel that cradles objects safely, while also carrying the living memory of the marshes where the grass was gathered, and the cultural traditions of the hands that wove it.
Walpole Island, located in southwestern Ontario at the mouth of the St. Clair River, is Anishinaabeg territory, Ojibwe / Odawa, known by its Anishinaabemowin name Bkejwanong. Its ecosystems include wetlands, riverbanks, prairies, marshes and environments where sweetgrass grows naturally. Sweetgrass has always been a main component of Walpole Island Basketry for generations.
Sweetgrass: (Hierochloe odorata), is valued for its lovely sweet fragrance, its medicinal and ceremonial importance, and its role in First Nation's basketry.
It is one of the “sacred medicines” in many Anishinaabe / Potawatomi / First Nations traditions.
According to oral history and more recent ethnobotanical work, sweetgrass was among the first variety of plants grown in certain ceremonial or cultivated patches, treated with respect, and harvested carefully.
Harvesting: The best harvesting time is during the summer, July to September.
Harvesting is done without pulling roots, but by only breaking off several stalks at the base so the plant can regenerate. Care is always taken not to damage the stand of grass.
Some stands are transplanted or managed, meaning community members have intentionally planted or encouraged sweetgrass growth. There are numerous examples of sweetgrass stands on Walpole Island that were planted many generations ago.
Basketmaking: Coiled sweetgrass basketry is one form of the art. Coiling means gathering and bundling sweetgrass, then stitching or coiling it in rounds or spirals to build a basket.
Black ash baskets are also made in the community; although at times black ash becomes scarce, so materials are sometimes sourced from outside Walpole Island.
Selling & trade: Walpole Island makers sold baskets to tourists and there is an annual fair, the Walpole Island Pow Wow, where a variety of First Nation's crafts were sold. In the early to mid 20th century, baskets were a common craft commodity.
Also, baskets were sometimes sold in cross-border trade: for example, people from Walpole would sell baskets in the U.S. via boat across the lake, or in other locations near the reserve.
Transmission of knowledge: Basketmaking and sweetgrass weaving were learned in the family, from grandmothers to mothers. For instance, Burlington Tooshkenig, a modern day artist from Walpole Island, learned from his grandmother, and so on.
Indigenous arts collective
skills had risked being lost, as older basketmakers were aging and fewer young people were taking them up. But there has been a resurgence recently through varied workshops, revival efforts and a growing awareness of Indigeonous cultures within Canada.
Material challenges: Black ash scarcity has been an issue locally and sometimes ash splints are brought from other First Nations for making baskets.
Sweetgrass stands can be threatened by overharvesting, environmental changes and habitat loss. Meaning that sustainable harvesting and replanting must remain respectful, as this is crucially important to this plant's survivability.
Rare Artifacts Ref No:8UX25OVB-S/AOEX/SD5-8-26
1950'sWalpole Island Sweetgrass Basket
Updated October 12, 2025 |
|
|---|
