On View
Cultural Expressions Gallery
Exhibition
Cultural Expressions
Created by
Jackson, Mary A., American, born 1945
Date
2014
Medium
sweetgrass, pine needles, bulrush and palmetto
Dimensions
H x W x D (2015.50.1ab): 11 7/8 × 18 1/2 × 15 3/4 in. (30.2 × 47 × 40 cm)
H x W x D (2014.50.1a): 10 3/8 × 18 1/2 × 14 7/8 in. (26.4 × 47 × 37.8 cm)
H x W x D (2015.50.1b): 2 5/8 × 15 3/4 × 15 3/4 in. (6.7 × 40 × 40 cm)
Caption
Mary Jackson is one of the world’s most highly-regarded Gullah basket-makers and an exceptionally skilled basket artist. She is known for her exceptional craftsmanship, creating baskets that derive from traditional forms in highly sculptural and expressive ways.
This basket is a traditional grain storage basket, which were historically made by men for the storage of rice or rice seed. Jackson has continued to create these fundamental and historic “work baskets” because it references men’s work. It also references the rice industry and rice as one of the emblematic “cultural” food signifiers of the Gullah-Geechee people.
Description
A traditional sweet-grass basket made by Mary A. Jackson. The basket is wide and has a round shape that tapers slightly at the top. It has a flat bottom. The basket has two handles and a removable lid (2015.50.1b). The lid rests on top and has a narrow lip. The basket features different striations of color consisting of lighter and darker colored sweet-grass.
Place made
Charleston, Charleston County, South Carolina, United States, North and Central America
Cultural Place
West Africa, Africa
Central Africa, Africa
United States, Sea Islands, North and Central America
Classification
Visual Arts
Decorative Arts, Craft, and Design
Type
baskets
Topic
African diaspora
Agriculture
Art
Communities
Craftsmanship
Design
Folklife
Foodways
Rice farming
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2015.50.1ab
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5f8218563-fa2c-4ade-8ad7-0877e7d4f5f3

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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