Planter
© Estate of Rowena Bradley
As a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and a thirdgeneration basket weaver, Bradley based her patterns either on those she saw her mother create or ones she conceived. Patterns are historically named after symbolic Cherokee stories. Bradley’s baskets are known for their design and fine craftsmanship. The upper part of this basket is a variation on the chain pattern. The lower portion mixes the coffin and chief’s daughter patterns. Here she used rivercane in its natural color as well as cane dyed brown from black walnut root. The process of weaving this basket began with harvesting rivercane and preparing its smooth outer layer for a weaving style known as twilling. This technique is achieved by passing each element of the weft (the horizontal cane) over two or more warp (the vertical cane) elements.
Exhibition Title: Asheville Art Museum: An Introduction to the Collection
Label Date: 2021
Type: Catalogue Entry
Written by: Whitney Richardson
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