Washo degikup basket attributed to Lena Dick

Washo degikup basket attributed to Lena Dick

7 3/8” diameter x 5 1/2” high

willow, bracken fern root, redbud

18 stitches per inch and 5 coils per inch

excellent condition (one stitch missing on the rim)

ex: Anthony J. Krechel, La Crescenta, CA; Charles and Sharon Aberle Collection; Marcy Burns Schillay Collection

circa mid-1920s-early 1930s



(B0988)

Washo baskets are generally recognized as being among the finest of all coiled baskets. Under the patronage of Abe Cohen at the Emporium in Carson City, Nevada, Louisa Keyser (Dat So La Lee) was able to devote her full attention to her weaving, which allowed her to develop the beautiful globular form “degikup”. Lena Dick was originally also sponsored by Lee Cohen but she acquired another patron, Fred Settelmeyer, who supported her from the mid-1920s through the early 1930s. This allowed her to also refine her designs and skill.

This polychrome basket has two alternating large-scale vertical motifs, each one with connecting elements. The weave is silky fine and the shape is superb. The designs include ones that have alternating use of red and black materials.