FAQ
Attributed to Mary Kea'a'ala Azbill (1864–1932). Presentation Basket. Upper Lake, Lake County, California. Maidu, late 19th-early 20th century. Sedge root, briar root, willow shoots, natural dye, 8 in. (20.3 cm) high x 14 3/4 in. (37.5 cm) diameter. Brooklyn Museum, Museum Expedition 1906, Museum Collection Fund, 06.331.8050
This especially fine basket is attributed to Mary Kea'a'ala Azbill because its fine construction and design are characteristic of her work, as is the use of the dark-brown briar root. Such elaborate baskets were made for presentation to family, close friends, and anthropologists. The design has been called bahu ("grapevine leaf") and wings-and-lightning. Mary Kea'a'ala Azbill was a remarkable woman. She was the daughter of a Maidu woman, Alvina, from the village of Taiyum Koyo, and a Hawaiian man, Iona Ke'a'a'la Kiana, of noble birth. For a time after her parents' death, she lived in Hawaii and was the kahu (teacher) in King Kalakaua's household. She spoke eight languages. On returning to California, in addition to weaving she often acted as interpreter and guide for collectors and anthropologists such as the Brooklyn Museum curator Stewart Culin.
Eastern Parkway/Brooklyn Museum