Extremely Fine Basket with Whalers, a Whale and Birds, c. 1950
by Francis (Fanny) Williams (1919-1996), Nuu-Chah-Nulth First Nation
cedar bark, bear grass, aniline dyes
2" high x 2" diameter
mint condition
Note: This extremely rare treasure basket has over 25 stitches per inch
Basket weaver Francis (Fanny) Williams was born 1919 in Bamfield, British Columbia, Canada. Fanny is a member of the Huu-ay-aht First Nations, one of the 14 distinct nations that make up the Nuu-chah-nulth people on the west coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia.
Fanny (Naa-naas-a-tuks in Nuu-Chah-Nulth) was famous for her finely wrapped-twined cedar bark, swamp grass, and beach grass baskets. She began weaving by watching her Auntie make baskets. She lived with her family in Bamfield until her death in May 1996. She is buried in the Sarita Reserve cemetery, near where she was born.
Today, Fanny’s work can be found in important private and museum collections including the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, OK, Burke Museum, WA, and the Royal BC Museum, Victoria, BC.
