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Lot
55097

A SUPERB WASHOE POLYCHROME COILED JAR WITH LID, #62. Louisa Keyser (Dat-so-la-lee) . c. 1918. ... (Total: 2 Items)

2009 September American Indian Art Auction #6029

 
Sold for: Not Sold Not Sold
Auction Ended On: Sep 19, 2009
Item Activity: 1 Internet/mail/phone bidders Number of Bidders
6,372 page views
Location:

Heritage Auctions
3500 Maple Avenue
Dallas, TX 75219

Description:
Watch our video about this lot! A SUPERB WASHOE POLYCHROME COILED JAR WITH LID, #62
Louisa Keyser (Dat-so-la-lee)

c. 1918



woven of willow, redbud, and bracken fern root, decorated with columns of diamond motifs, the uppermost "hooked" beneath the rim, surmounted by a fitted lid, similarly decorated, with loop handle, old tag affixed to the base, inscribed LK #62, May 20th, 1918, 157

Accompanied by the following unsigned letter, presumably written by Abe Cohn:

The Mad Basket
Carson City, Nevada
December 4th, 1918

Dear Madam,

Knowing your interest in the great Washoe Indian basket weaver, we would like to call your attention to her last masterpiece. It is especially appealing not only for its graceful vase-shape, but because it exemplifies the fact that we have always endeavored to impress on people, that each basket a weaver constructs illustrates some fact or history in their life. When Dat-So-La-Lee commenced the base of this article #62 L-K, she was in despair as all Indians become reckless when in trouble, it is faultily constructed, coarsely woven, and discolored: so our criticisms as to its "being unworthy of her proficiency, nor as good as the old camp-Indians could do. Her answer was - "I don't care" In this mood she evolved about one half of this basket, as her trouble lightened and she became reconciled to the result, she improved the technique and finished it in her famous manor, she also made a cover for it which is a most marvelous piece of handcraft; When completed she brought it in to Mrs. Cohn, who refused to accept it, pointing out its defects. Dat-So-La-Lee surprised and wounded acknowledged its imperfections, and proudly displayed its progress to perfection, its finishing, and from under her shawl, drew out the cover saying, "We bad, some of the basket bad, We good now, we put all bad in basket, cover up quick; no more bad now, We good all the time now" acting out her words.

The episode this basket portrays is this. On February 21st, 1905, Charlie Keyser, the husband of Dat-So-La-Lee was arrested by the Federal Officials for selling whiskey to Indians and incarcerated in the Ormsby County Jail to await trial by the Federal Grand Jury. The penalty for this offense is usually a term of imprisonment at McNeil's. He was tried and convicted by the Federal Jury, and sentenced by a lenient Judge to 3 months confinement in the Washoe County Jail. While Keyser was in the local Jail and during his trial she grieved and plead with every one that would listen to her. She realized the gravity of his crime, but believed that if the usual punishment was imposed that her poor old man would not survive it; though assuming that he should not be punished, the light sentence imposed, comforted her. It was during his term and absence she produced #62 L-K.

The body of this masterpiece is woven of White Calix, which is already developing a rich golden tinge. The design is diamond shaped figures, one of the Washoe symbols for men. In the bark of the brilliant red of the Cercis-Occidentalls, outlined with a thin line of the black Pterris-Aquilinie.

Height: 13 ½ inches

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Condition Report*:

In overall excellent condition. No breaks or tears to rods or stitches. Colors vibrant. Top surface with minor soiling. Very faint pink hue to some of the stitches on the base. No apparent restoration.

*Heritage Auctions strongly encourages in-person inspection of items by the bidder. Statements by Heritage regarding the condition of objects are for guidance only and should not be relied upon as statements of fact, and do not constitute a representation, warranty, or assumption of liability by Heritage. Framed lots estimated at $1000.00 or less shall not be unframed for inspection and may not be returned based on condition. All lots offered are sold "AS IS".

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