Hey there, auction fans! Spring is finally trying to peek through the clouds….honest! We’ve been keeping busy here at Funky Junk Auctions, and we are just so excited to keep our "Woven Wonders" series rolling along. This time, we’re heading north of the border to look at the incredible artistry of Canadian Indigenous baskets. These aren't just your everyday storage bins; they are stunning pieces of history and culture that we are always thrilled to see cross our auction block.
We’ve got some truly special treasures coming up in our next online-only event….
AWESOME SIGNED cedar baskets, vintage jewelry, intricate Mi’kmaq quillwork, old-school toys, black ash splint baskets, vintage comics, antique books, collectible cards, fine china, art glass, sweetgrass treats, hand-painted pottery, and so much more!
The West Coast Spirit: Salish Cedar Traditions
If you’ve ever walked through the misty forests of British Columbia, you know how important the Western Red Cedar is. To the Coast Salish people, it’s often called the "Tree of Life," and for very good reason! They’ve been using every part of the tree for generations, especially the inner bark and the roots, to create some of the most durable and beautiful baskets you’ll ever lay eyes on.
These Salish cedar baskets are usually made using a "coiling" or "twining" technique. We often see the coiled ones in our auctions, and they are tough! They were traditionally used for everything from gathering berries to even cooking with hot stones. When you find an AUTHENTIC CEDAR basket, look closely at the patterns. You’ll see beautiful geometric designs that often tell a story about the weaver’s family or their community. It’s that personal connection that makes these items such great finds for any collector looking for something with a soul.
The Eastern Gems: Mi’kmaq Quillwork and Birchbark
Moving over to the East Coast: think Nova Scotia and New Brunswick: the Mi’kmaq people have a totally different, but equally amazing, way of making their woven goodies. While they definitely use wood splints, they are world-famous for their incredible porcupine quillwork on birchbark.
Imagine taking tiny, sharp porcupine quills, softening them, dyeing them with bright natural colors, and then stitching them into birchbark to create flowers, stars, and animals. It is mind-blowing how much work goes into these! We’ve had a few of these vintage treats in the past, and they always cause a stir. Because they are made from natural materials like bark and quills, they are quite delicate, so finding one in GREAT CONDITION is a real win for any bargain hunter or serious historian.
The Magic of Black Ash and Sweetgrass
Now, if you’re looking for something that smells as good as it looks, you have to find a sweetgrass basket. Throughout the Great Lakes region and into the Maritimes, many First Nations: like the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) and the Abenaki: use black ash and sweetgrass to create their masterpieces.
The process of making an ash basket is actually pretty intense. They take a log of black ash and pound it with a mallet until the layers of wood: the annual growth rings: actually start to separate into thin strips called splints. It’s a lot of physical labor before the weaving even starts! These splints are then woven together, often with braids of aromatic sweetgrass, to create "fancy baskets."
These "fancy" styles became very popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s as souvenirs for tourists visiting places like Niagara Falls. You’ll see them shaped like strawberries, acorns, or even little purses. They are just so fun and eclectic, and they really show off the creativity of the makers who were trying to support their families during some really tough times.
Why Collectors Love These Woven Wonders
Whether it’s a rugged cedar burden basket or a delicate quillwork box, these items are highly sought after in the auction world. They represent a connection to the land and a tradition of craftsmanship that is passed down from great-grandparents to kids today. When you bid on one of these at Funky Junk Auctions, you aren't just getting a container; you're getting a piece of art.
We love seeing these items find new homes where they can be appreciated. Every time a collection comes in, we’re on the lookout for….
VINTAGE JEWELRY, rare books, unique toys, old comics, art glass, fine china, and so much more!
Getting Your Hands on These Treats
If you see something you love in our current or upcoming auctions, bidding is a breeze! We keep things super simple with our online-only format. Just head over to our site, find the items that catch your eye, and place your bids from the comfort of your couch. No need to dress up or leave the house until it’s time to pick up your wins!
Speaking of picking up, we want to make sure you know exactly how it works once you’ve won. We offer scheduled curbside pickup right here at our location. Once the auction closes and you’ve paid your invoice, you’ll get a link to schedule a time that works for you. We’ll have your goodies ready and waiting, so you can just swing by, and we’ll get you loaded up and on your way. It’s fast, it’s friendly, and it saves you all the hassle of waiting for a delivery person.
We’re always adding new stuff to our inventory, so make sure you keep checking back. You never know when the next AWESOME SIGNED piece of Indigenous history might show up in our catalog.
Thanks for joining us for Part 6 of our Woven Wonders series! We’ve still got more to share, so stay tuned for our next installment where we’ll talk about how to keep these beauties looking great for years to come.
Happy bidding, everyone!
Team Funky
