Green and Brown Hen Basket
Object Details
- Artist
- Ira Blount
- Date
- 1983
- Medium
- wood splint, reed, dye
- Dimensions
- 12 1/2 × 12 3/16 × 8 1/4 in. (31.7 × 31 × 21 cm)
- Cite As
- Gift of Ira Blount
- Caption
- The handle of this round “hen” basket is continuous with the body, creating a circular shape. Green, brown, and natural-colored reeds and wood splints are woven in a plain weave. Some of the splints have been twisted to provide further texture to the basket. The colors and textures offer a nod to the name and history of this type of basket, which was said to be used to transport chickens: the shape prohibited the animals from flapping their wings and escaping.
- After moving to Washington, DC following World War II, Ira Blount mastered dozens of artisanal crafts. His love for crafting, learning, and community engagement would endure over the course of his long life and career.
- Accession Number
- 2011.0004.0062
- Type
- basket
- See more items in
- Anacostia Community Museum Collection
- Data Source
- Anacostia Community Museum
- Restrictions & Rights
- CC0
- Metadata Usage
- CC0
- Record ID
- acm_2011.0004.0062
This media is in the public domain (free of copyright restrictions). You can copy, modify, and distribute this work without contacting the Smithsonian. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Open Access page.
International media Interoperability Framework
IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.