I-11-15 Large Hupa gambling tray.
The Hupa live on the Trinity River system in northwestern California. Their language belongs to the California Athapaskan division of the Nadene language family. This language group is not common to California with only four tribes being represented in that state. They were the only tribe among the northwestern California tribes to have a reservation upon which a number of smaller surrounding tribes were placed making tribal distinctions in basketry quite difficult. Consequently, the baskets from this region are often referred to as “Hupa group” baskets.
This large and dramatic tray is of the type called a gambling tray which was used to hold the bets placed by spectators whether they be in the form of traditional dentalia shell money or American currency. These gambling trays are usually deeper and more elaborate in design than the closely related acorn flour trays. Woven primarily in plain twining with the exception being the start at the basket’s center which is done in three strand twining. The materials are peeled hazel rods (Corylus) for the warp and split conifer root (Pinaceae) for the weft. The design field is done in a non-twist overlay (or if one prefers, half twist overlay) using split bear grass (Xerophyllum) for the white color.
An exceptionally large and beautiful example measuring 23"in diameter and 5 1/2"deep. Circa 1900. $ 7,500.00