Large-ish and Very Fine Late 19th C. Nootka/Makah Native American Lidded Basket mechanical valenting which makes it feel all

which makes it feel all the more so

1 11/16" wide when closed

Hiram Campbell Merrill  (1866-1958) was a Boston-born painter and engraver

I know nothing of its origins

Large-ish and Very Fine Late 19th C. Nootka/Makah Native American Lidded Basket mechanical valenting which makes it feel allI will never get over my love of Nootka Makah Native baskets from the Pacific Northwest Coast, considered some of the world's finest baskets, and this is an old one, late 19th century, dated based on materials used (exclusively bear grass and cedar bark, with no raffia) and the manner of the rim and plaiting of the underside. The weave on this one is very fine and tight, and though the brightness of the original color has faded (as evident from