Item X 51363 Basket. Milingimbi, Eastern Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia. 1937

Summary

This is a very plain basket most likely used for carrying personal belongings or bush foods collected during hunting trips.

Physical Description

A twined conical basket made from fine pandanus. The multistrand vegetable fibre string handle is attached to the rim at the back of the basket with four stiches each side, and string has been stitched around the rim with a blanket stitch.

Significance

This basket was most likely collected by James Ponder when he visited Milingimbi in 1937. Ella Shepherdson, the wife of the missionary Harold 'Hal' Shepherdson wrote in her diary on Tuesday 25 May 1937, 'Mr Ponder (has) gone out to Rabuma (sic) for a few days' and notes his return on Saturday 29 May.