Summary

Many Nations is a celebration of the extraordinary skills and cultural knowledge of the individuals who hand-crafted these beautiful objects, connecting generations across time. Each of these objects represents a person and is embedded with an identity or life story. This is represented in the uniqueness of each piece, the natural resources they were crafted from, the tools used to make them, their function and their design.
The search to reveal the story woven into this basket continues, with many contributors working together, including members of First Peoples Yulendj group and current Victorian Aboriginal basket-weavers. Many people are intrigued by this uniquely styled basket made from lengths of reed tied together to form a diamond pattern. The red material attached to the top may have been traded across traditional trade routes or obtained through direct contact with European settlers in the area.
Women basket-makers recognised the weave of the light reed used to 'stitch' the longer reed pieces together, and both men and women likened the diamond pattern to the designs engraved in many Victorian shields. 'This basket combines Aboriginal and European methods and stories, it belongs to us all'. Lisa Jones, Yulendj 2012.

Physical Description

Coiled basket with oblong base made using bundle-coil technique. Made from lengths of reed tied together with a light reed that has been woven through the long reeds to form a diamond pattern in bands. The top is covered with a red checked cloth. The material on the top is very fragile and there are pieces missing.

Significance

Historical records indicate this basket was among the large amounts of material culture taken overseas from Victoria at some point in the 19th and 20th centuries. It is extremely rare and there is not one like it known world wide. It came into the Museum Victoria collection in 1995 through a donation by an international collector. It is hoped that we can soon share more of its story.

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