Name/Title
Letter from Sarah J. Henderson to Harry GeorgeEntry/Object ID
Q1430.634.226FDescription
Letter from Sarah J. Henderson to Harry George describing a Neah Bay trunk and Pomo funeral basket for sale.
Vol 1 P. 226F
Dear Sir:_
Replying to your favor of the 20th inst., I will say that any Hudson
1 in.Bay Trunk measures, outside dimensions, 12 in. high, 14½ in. wide, 29 in. long. Inside measurement
is 10¼, by 12¾, by 27 inches
The trunk is brass bound (the binding fastened by brass nails) has brass handles in good condition; the predominating ^color of the other coloring material being red. There is an ornamental design in white, blue and green colors near the brass binding, the design being outlined by double rows of brass headed nails.
This trunkis in good condition except for two break in the red covering, one about 10, and the other 2½ inches long which seem to have been caused by shrinkage and not by wear and tear.
My price for the feathered covered funeral basket has been $225.00, but you can have it for $200.00.
Very truly yours,
(additional notations written upward along the left edge of the page)
P. S. I will try to send you the covered Shasta and small Klickitat by tomorrow's express,
but think has to sand the other basket separately after you have opportunity to consider the price.
Herewith I enclose to you your description of this basket.
pg.226F1 Description
"This Ceremonial Funeral Basket was made by Rosa, of Upper Leake California, who is an expert
weaver i nearly all the Pomo weaves.
Rosa was bout 35 or 36 years of age, of slender form and pleasing countenance. It took her one
year to collect material and weave this basket, although she made a small one at the same time,
claiming that it rests the eyes to have different pieces of work to interchange. The red feathers
are from the head of the California Woodpecker.
Best "weavers never use the red feathers from the wing of the Black-bird, as they fade. The wampum
is made by hand, mostly by the indian men.
It is made from clam shell they procure from the coast and has a fixed valuation by them.
These boat shaped baskets play a prominent part in funeral ceremonies as an offering to the dead and to the family of the deceased."
signed "Mrs E. L. Goodsell"Subject
Sarah J. Henderson
Portland, Oregon
Trunk
Neah Bay
Basket
PomoSubject Person/Organization
Harry L. George Collection
