Pomo coiling is done from right to left which results in the coil spiraling in a clockwise direction. The warp, or foundation material is usually willow and consists of either a single rod (illustrated on the left) or a combination of three rods (illustrated on the right). The weft or sewing material is usually sedge root, which is dug from sandy stream banks and aged, preferably for several years, before weaving. Design elements are most commonly woven in the deep red-brown bark of redbud shoots or with bulrush root that has been dyed black with black walnut shell or other vegetal dyes. The latter often fades to a deep brown with age. Occasionally an entire basket will be made from redbud with the bark peeled for the weft material. Today almost all Pomo weavers use the coiling technique to the near exclusion of twining. Below are exhibited several beautiful three-rod coiled baskets.

Coiled by a master weaver, this large globose basket features elaborate geometric patterns representing "ant trails" and arrowheads, with a seven-pointed star or flower on the base. Size: 17" in diameter; 11.5" high.	Side View	Bottom View
The gift basket to the immediate right has arrowhead and "ant trail" designs and a rim adorned with clamshell beads and quail topknots. On the far right is a canoe basket with "turtle back" and quail topknot designs.	11 1/2 " in diameter	10" long; 2 1/2" high

This small three-rod coiled basket (3 1/2" by 2") has the arrowhead design. On the bottom there are two stitches of red-shafted flicker quill located at the point of one of the "arrowheads" (see blue arrow). This relates to Pomo menstrual taboos. Generally, a menstruating woman should not weave, but among a few Pomo groups, she may do so if she weaves a flicker quill into the basket. Such an act allows her to break the taboo without consequences.

Coiled baskets are often decorated elaborately with clam shell beads, abalone pendants, the bright-colored feathers of birds, and glass beads. These beaded and feathered baskets are traditionally given as gifts and used in ceremonies. For example, among some Pomo, a fine basket covered completely with woodpecker crest feathers might be a gift to celebrate the birth of a child or a wedding. The basket exhibited on the right is such a gift basket. Measuring 3 1/2" in diameter, it is entirely covered with tiny feathers that were inserted between the three foundation rods of willow. Red woodpecker crest feathers are interspersed among the black, green, and white of the mallard duck. Below are several other superbly beaded and feathered Pomo baskets.

This beautiful basket by Alice Elliott (1896-1984) is completely covered in glass beads. Size: 6" x 5" in diameter and 2" high.

This one-rod coiled basket has the "deer back" pattern in bulrush, and is decorated with woodpecker crest feathers, quail topknots, and clam shell beads. Size: 5 3/4" diameter.

The above basket has been attributed to Essie Parrish. Measuring 2 1/2" x 3 1/4", it is covered in yellow, turquoise and red beads and adorned with quail topknots.

The Pomo are also justifiably famous for their miniature baskets, which were apparently first woven in the late 19th century in response to collectors and the art market. They are astounding achievements made with techniques that remain a closely guarded secret, although they appear to be coiled baskets. They range in size from two inches in diameter down to the size of the head of a pin. Some miniatures are so small that the weave can only be examined with magnification. Remarkably, these tiny baskets often have simple designs. The beautiful basket above on the left is the work of Joseppha Dick. A canoe shape, it measures 1 1/8 inches long. The small basket above on the right is 7/8 inch in size, and the astounding micro-miniature below it measures 3/32 of an inch in diameter. It has been greatly magnified here to show you its weave. This may be the smallest basket in existence, yet it has a remarkable design made with single hair-like stitches of bulrush.

This text is adapted from From Straw Into Gold by Foley Benson, SRJC Museum, Santa Rosa Junior College, 1986 and from Guide to the Collections of the Jesse Peter Native American Art Museum by Margaret N. Bond, SRJC Museum, Santa Rosa Junior College, 1994.

Home

History

General Information

Collections

Copyright © 2004 by the SRJC Museum, Santa Rosa Junior College. All rights reserved. Images and text are the property of the SRJC Museum. These pages may be downloaded for educational purposes only.