Split white oak basket. Plain weave. No decoration.

Southeastern basketry is characterized by bright, bold colors and designs. Baskets from the different tribes of the region are often similar, which suggests some uniformity of styles throughout the region. The region, however, can be divided into two distinct styles: the Southeast Periphery, which borders the region and was more influenced by other regions, including the Plains, and the Southeast Heartland. Twill plaiting and plain plaiting are the most common methods to weaving used throughout the Southeast, though other methods, including coiling are also used (Turnbaugh and Turnbaugh 1986, 98-109).

Plain plaited white oak sifter basket with handle opens. This basket could have been used to sift corn. If the date is truly 1890, this basket would be an Oklahoma Delaware basket. The Eastern Delaware were part of the Cherokee during 1890s.

Tags: white oak, sifter basket, plain plaited, food processing
People: Delaware, possibly Cherokee
Places: Oklahoma
Purpose: domestic use

From interviews with Dr. Garrick Bailey, 2018-2020 University of Tulsa, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology