Makah Northwest Coast Native Antique Lidded Basket rose on vine and perhaps especially the back

and perhaps especially the back

and the interior enamel is in near perfect condition

I've become a huge fan of old primitive knife trays like this one

and the off-center pattern of what I assume are water lilies turns the whole thing into a waterscape

and there is one scratch on the lid near the edge

Makah Northwest Coast Native Antique Lidded Basket rose on vine and perhaps especially the backI've fallen in love with Makah and Nuu chah nulth (Nootka) baskets, so finely woven of bear grass and cedar bark and this is a lovely example in great condition. Based on the plaited structure of the bottom of the basket and incorporation of raffia as the weft, I am fairly certain this piece dates from sometime between 1890s 1930. This one features naturally dyed red, green and dark blue banded patterning, and three small green diamonds at the center