A late 19th c. wood splint basket in original oyster white paint.
Constructed entirely of ash and formed into a wall pocket shape with a pyramid shaped back. Its maker utilized a standardized forming process from the ground up weaving an open weft bottom and plain plaited weave for its sides and back. During that process, ornamentation was incorporated using twist weave decoration formed from a single, extra long weft and twisted to reach a desired "porcupine" shape and tucked in place. 
The hanging mechanism consists of several small circular ash wood ribs stacked together and wrapped on the exterior with a single coil. Stacking multiple ribs provided strength in structural integrity and the brown dyed coil provided added decoration. 
Due to the popularity of stylized Victorian design and tourist trade, a portion of these Native made baskets were painted by the buyer or family members for decoration. This wall pocket retains original oyster white paint carefully applied to its front, sides, and base. 
Atrributed to the Maliseet of northern Maine. A feature commonly seen on Maliseet basketry and notably basketry in Aroostook County by Maliseet craftspeople, is the unusually long vertical stanners folded over at the top and tucked in under a single weaver near the arrow pointed terminal end. 
Remains in superlative original condition with a fine as-descended surface. Ca. 1890. 10"W x 11"T x 5 1/4"D.