Note 175 — THE WAMPANOAGS IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY An Ethnohistorical Study

Willoughby, p. 151, illustrates one basket, dating about 1675 and made by the Narragansetts. It is a twined basket; the materials are basswood bark and corn husk, the decoration being in the latter. Red wool yarn also once was part of the decoration, but that has been since destroyed. Designs are worked in light corn husk, which forms part of the weft element. Design form is geometric, non-representational, diagonal steps, horizontal bands, and disconnected square spots. Design field covers the entire side area of the basket, which is tall and narrow in shape. Recalling Gookin’s description of zoomorphic decoration, there is reason to suspect considerable scope to the decorative content of this style.