California Mission Basket c.1910 A3073

Measures 6" x 6" x 2".

Native American baskets from the Southern California region, and sometimes greater California, are often referred to as “mission” baskets. The term “mission” was first designated by A.L. Kroeber in 1922 in reference to a style of baskets made by people subjugated under the Franciscan mission system, c. 1769-1834. Some argue that the “mission” designation refers to the concept of hybridization of traditions, as Southern California peoples were forcibly moved around, coming into contact with each other and being exposed to different ideas. However, as has been noted by scholars, the hybrid concept implies that these baskets are somehow lesser than those stemming from their  “pure” parent traditions, and ultimately privileges external and imposed definitions of progress.

Baskets from Southern California Native peoples generally share a number of common elements in technology and structure, with a range of types and uses. These baskets are often coiled with a knot sewn into the center for the start. They feature a rightward work direction, outside work faces on most baskets, inside work faces on trays, non-interlocking stitches, moving ends clipped on the non-work face or hidden in the foundation, and folded weft splices visible on the work face. Commonly used materials are deergrass, sumac, and Juncus sp. Other materials include yucca and palm. Baskets had many uses in processing of acorns and small seeds. Flat or shallow trays were used to parch seeds with hot coals, winnow off the chaff, and sift pounded acorn flour before leaching. Deeper baskets were used for storage and many other uses including gifts and for sale to non-Native markets.