Beaded earrings; white, tan, and gold seed beads sewn together in shape of burden basket; suspended on commercial brass wire clips for pierced ears.
Donor:
Margaret Mathewson and University Appropriation
Collection place:
Northwestern California
Verbatim coll. place:
Northwestern California
Culture or time period:
Yurok
Maker or artist:
Genny George Mitchell
Collector:
Margaret Mathewson
Collection date:
unknown
Object type:
ethnography
Object class:
Earrings (jewelry)
Department:
Native California (archaeology and ethnology)
Dimensions:
length 5 centimeters
Comment:
From the exhibit text, June 1993: "Basket makers at the turn of the last century were experimenting with new basketry forms such as covered bottles, coasters, napkin rings, and waste paper baskets. Many of these objects were made for sale to non-Indians. Since the 1950's newer, more innovative forms such as basketry necklaces, earrings, and key chains have become popular. Native Californians wear these proudly, in addition to making them for sale. Miniatures are another basketry form that has become popular over the past century.