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Open lattice-twined tray

Pomo (Mendocino County, California)

ca. 1890

Not on view

Often labeled a "sifter" in the mistaken belief that women separated the coarse from the fine by shaking matter through its meshes, this tray is more similar to a colander. Its openings allow water to drain from wet foods, like seaweed, or enable air to circulate, preventing stored foods from becoming moldy. Although modest looking, such baskets are technically complex, requiring the weaver to twine additional horizontal warps at right angles to vertical foundation rods.

Open lattice-twined tray, Willow shoot foundation, sedge root weft, redbud shoot weft, coiled-on oak shoot rim rod, split willow rim wrap, Pomo (Mendocino County, California) — This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Open lattice-twined tray, Willow shoot foundation, sedge root weft, redbud shoot weft, coiled-on oak shoot rim rod, split willow rim wrap, Pomo (Mendocino County, California)

Open lattice-twined tray, Willow shoot foundation, sedge root weft, redbud shoot weft, coiled-on oak shoot rim rod, split willow rim wrap, Pomo (Mendocino County, California)

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Title: Open lattice-twined tray

Date: ca. 1890

Culture: Pomo (Mendocino County, California)

Medium: Willow shoot foundation, sedge root weft, redbud shoot weft, coiled-on oak shoot rim rod, split willow rim wrap

Dimensions: Diameter: 18 7/8 in. (48 cm)
Height/Depth: 6 7/8 in. (17.5 cm)

Credit Line: Loaned by the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Philadelphia

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The American Wing at The Met

The American Wing's ever-evolving collection comprises some 20,000 works by African American, Euro American, Native American, and Latin American artists, ranging from the colonial to early-modern period.