This blackware clay pipe was made by the Bigmeats, a family of Cherokee potters. Charlotte Welch Bigmeat (1887-1959) had five daughters, all of whom made pottery: Tinie Bigmeat Thompson (1913-1999), Ethel Bigmeat Queen (1916-1942), Elizabeth...
Stone carving -- Appalachian Region, Southern;Cherokee art -- Appalachian Region, Southern
This pipe is made of steatite, more commonly known as soapstone. It was likely made by John Wilnoty, Jr. (1960-2007), son of John Julius Wilnoty (b. 1940), a self-taught carver and member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
It is not known who made this large rivercane basket. Baskets of this shape and size were used to transport agricultural products. The large basket with handle was probably used to gather vegetables from the field or garden; it could have also...
This undated ribbed basket was made by Cherokee basket weaver Sally Wade. The rounded bottom of the basket sits on an elevated base; a circular handle is woven into the basket. Baskets like this one could have been used for storage or as a small...
It is not known who made this undated market basket. The flat-bottomed rectangular basket is made with white oak. Large, handled baskets of this shape and size were traditionally used to transport agricultural products, to gather vegetables from...
It is not known who made this honeysuckle tray in the permanent collection of Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual. Trays are a typical form of Cherokee basketry. Traditionally, they were used for gaming or to serve food. In this one, the honeysuckle...
This undated basket was made by Cherokee basket weaver Lucy George. The basket is honeysuckle woven over white oak splints with two carved drop handles attached to the base. A small handled basket such as this one can be used as a purse. Larger...
This clay vase was made by Ossie Smith, a Cherokee potter. It is incised with a diamond-mountain decoration. The outside has been burnished. It was donated to the Southern Highland Craft Guild by the Grovewood Gallery in Asheville, North...
Carving of pair of horsehead bookends made of wood by Cherokee artisan Goingback Chiltoskey, whose last name is also sometimes spelled Chiltosky or Chiltoskie.
This 1904 newspaper article describes the handiCraft Revival flourishing in places around the southeastern and northeastern U.S. The article appears to be written in response to a recent Bureau of Labor report and mentions the numerous charitable...
This essay outlines the state of weaving and dyeing in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee in the late 19th century. It covers primarily the use of natural dyes and natural fibers in weaving cloth to be used for clothing and bedding. The...
This essay tells the story of Olive Dame Campbell and her involvement with the traditional songs of the mountain region. It describes her collaboration with Cecil Sharp, British researcher, who came to the United States hoping to find some of the...
Frances Goodrich collected weaving drafts throughout the Appalachian region. This one came to her from Sarah Nelson, who was sister to Goodrich's friend Elmeda Walker. It is one of eleven drafts Nelson copied. It is unusual in that it needs a...
This dress was made by an unknown weaver in the 1890s. It was woven in brown wool and a linen warp. It has a sailor-style collar and snap closings on the front and cuffs. It is similar, if not the same, as the dress modeled by Ettamae Deweese in...
In this photograph by Vivienne Roberts, Cherokee basketmakers Nice George and Lucy George Long are shown preparing materials to make baskets. They are in the process of cutting, scraping, and thinning white oak splits or splints into different...
In this undated photograph by an unknown photographer, basket weaver Elsie Watty is checking a chip from the white oak tree to see if it will make good material for basket weaving. Elsie Welch Watty (b. 1935) was a master Cherokee basket weaver who...
This undated market basket was made by Cherokee basket weaver Bessie Long. The flat-bottomed rectangular basket is made with white oak. Market baskets of this shape and size were traditionally used to transport agricultural products, to gather...
This white oak basket was made by Cherokee basket weaver Dolly Taylor. It is made in the shape of a baby’s cradle, but its small size indicates that it is most likely a child’s toy. Taylor’s basket is dyed with walnut and bloodroot to...
It is not known who made this undated white oak basket. Large, handled baskets of this shape and size were traditionally used to transport agricultural products, to gather vegetables from the field or garden or to take dry foodstuffs to market. ...
