A History of North Carolinian Basketry
|
European Settlers in North Carolina
The North Carolinian basketry tradition started here in Appalachia. Now all across the state and country, early European settlers of North Carolina developed a new style of weaving in the mountains based on the materials they had available to them at the time. With the majority of European baskets having been made from willow trees, and there being a lack of willow in the New World, settlers were forced to make do with what they had available. Port cities continued to use imported, European baskets for some time, however up here in the mountains, ingenuity charged locals to develop their own style - what later became the foundation for North Carolinian basketry. |
Early Appalachian weavers
|
Cherokee weaving family
|
The Native American Basketry Tradition American Indians had been weaving their own forms of baskets in the area long before any European settlers landed in North America. Most Native American basketry utilized bright coloring with natural pigments. As a part of religious and ritual tradition, these river cane baskets were adorned with traditional patterning and writing. For the most part, these baskets were utilized for special occasions and ritual practices. For the new settlers in the Carolinas, basketry arose due to need for something utilitarian and functional. Early settlers’ baskets were more strictly created for specific purposes like carrying things, or using for trading purposes. These early baskets were relatively devoid of color and any decoration. Made of sturdy, basic split white oak, these early settlers appreciated function over beauty for the most part. |
Influences on Early North Carolinian Basketry
Though the settlers’ early baskets were not colorful and adorned in decoration, the Cherokee Indians maintained their style of weaving and began trading their creations with the settlers for different materials. Those who had excess money or items to trade began collecting some of these Native American baskets over time for their beauty. It would not be for some time before some of these settlers began to branch beyond their strictly utilitarian view of weaving to venture into the world of more artistic and creative basketry.
When looking at the history of North Carolina basketry, you cannot forget the influence of the African and African American populations in early America. Influence from the unique styles of South Carolinian sweet grass baskets existed in North Carolina. The large slave populations in early Low Country history is responsible for a rich history in the coiled sweet grass basket craft. Developed by the Gullah people, a group of largely ex-slaves in the Low Country who worked on rice plantations, sweet grass basketry is unique and still utilized today by fine crafters.
Though the settlers’ early baskets were not colorful and adorned in decoration, the Cherokee Indians maintained their style of weaving and began trading their creations with the settlers for different materials. Those who had excess money or items to trade began collecting some of these Native American baskets over time for their beauty. It would not be for some time before some of these settlers began to branch beyond their strictly utilitarian view of weaving to venture into the world of more artistic and creative basketry.
When looking at the history of North Carolina basketry, you cannot forget the influence of the African and African American populations in early America. Influence from the unique styles of South Carolinian sweet grass baskets existed in North Carolina. The large slave populations in early Low Country history is responsible for a rich history in the coiled sweet grass basket craft. Developed by the Gullah people, a group of largely ex-slaves in the Low Country who worked on rice plantations, sweet grass basketry is unique and still utilized today by fine crafters.
|
How Weaving History Inspires My Work People have been weaving baskets for as long as history records. Early ceramicists wove baskets in order to form their pieces, as did many other people in history to utilize for trade and work purposes. North Carolina’s rich history in basketry inspired me to continue to develop my craft over the years. The combination of natural elements to create something functional, or more importantly to me, beautiful, is exciting and truly what I love to do. I have studied basketry from all over the world too. Weaving techniques in Australia, Europe and Africa all offer their unique flavors of specificity, but I am proud to be a part of the North Carolina tradition of basketry. Rich in history, this craft has allowed me to create art with classic techniques and materials. I am constantly continue this search into North Carolinian basketry history as well as the history of weaving in places all around the world for new inspirations and further opportunities to develop my artwork. |
Contemporary basket woven using Kudzu and Siberian Iris
|