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Western Shoshone Baskets NV - Ruby Valley,Elko County - c1920s-40 - 2012aug - Cowboy & Native Americ

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Native Americana Start Price:250.00 USD Estimated At:500.00 - 1,000.00 USD
Western Shoshone Baskets NV - Ruby Valley,Elko County - c1920s-40 - 2012aug - Cowboy & Native Americ
Invoicing and lot pick up will NOT be available at the live auction.
Lot of 2. 1) Large oval food basket made of native marsh grass on willow rods, by Alice Temoke of the Temoke Band of the Western Shoshone. The base measures 10" x 12" and the weave is fairly tight; however, stitches are missing in numerous places around the top edge. Top opening measures 18" x 20" by 7.5" high. There is no design element. 2) Smaller oval basket, possibly by the same weaver, Alice Dick and/or Alice Temoke. Base measures 5" x 6" by 5.5" high. This basket is of a rougher weave than the first one, but similarly constructed on willow rods. Also has missing stitches around the top edge and in places scattered throughout the body. The design, as such, consists of four sections separated by a partially exposed willow rod running horizontally around the body of the basket. This does not appear to be the smaller basket referred to in the following interview, as there are no pitch remnants to be seen on the interior. These baskets were authenticated by Ruth Jones Ortiz in an interview with Jay Thornton on 17 July 1988 in Wells, NV. Witnesses were Charlene Thornton and Nevada Penole (daughter of Ruth Jones Ortiz). Ruth Jones Ortiz was born in Metropolis, NV about 1900 in Long Canyon, southeast of Peavey Ranch. The interview follows:

JT: Are these baskets made by Indians? RO: Yes, I recognize the work as Paiute or Shoshone. Where did you get them? JT: I bought them at auction from the (Lloyd) Myer`s estate in Ruby Valley. RO: If they came from Ruby Valley, they were made by Alice Dick or Alice Temoke. Their baskets are on display at the Elko Museum. Some have lids on them. I made one like this when I was young (holding the large oval basket). I like it best. They used creek willows and marsh grass to make these baskets. We would smear pine pitch inside the small one so we could carry water in it. The large one we used to hold corn, pine nuts, everything. These are are the oldest, and were made for everyday use. JT: How about the one with diamond design? (See next lot) RO: I can tell by the way it is made it is also Paiute or Shoshone. - Jacobitz Collection -60386