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This basket is double woven with a tight-fitting lid, similar in style and color to those produced by the Chitimacha in St. Mary’s Parish, Louisiana. Although it bears design elements that closely resemble the Rabbit’s Teeth, Turtle’s Necktie, and Snake designs found in Chitimacha basketry, the cane splits are neither as thin nor as narrow as either traditional or contemporary Chitimacha examples.

 

 

The basket was structurally sound overall but the black-dyed elements were fragile and vulnerable to breakage. There was loss of these elements in approximately 24-30% of the basket, especially around the rim (where the cane is folded inward), and the bottom. Some cane elements were loose but are not in jeopardy of detaching (if handled correctly). The basket was somewhat faded, especially on the top surface of the lid.

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Treatment included surface cleaning to reduce dust and dirt accumulation, and stabilizing loose elements using a conservation-grade adhesive.