This melon shaped basket features uniformly shaped and natural-colored reeds and wood splints. A single protruding splint near the bottom of the basket gives the viewer a greater appreciation for the intricacy involved in making these baskets. The wood handle, attached to the body of the basket with a God’s Eye design, is covered in a plain weave with a reed weft.
Artist Ira Blount uses round reeds and wood splints woven in a plain weave in this melon-shaped basket. Double plied twisted seagrass cord creates two vertical stripes along the sides of the basket. Seagrass cord also decorates the handle.
Though artist Ira Blount more frequently utilized natural-colored materials, here he incorporates splints dyed a deep purple. A single purple reed doubled on itself is present on either side of the melon-shaped basket. The basket is woven with a plain weave. A purple splint also decorates the basket’s wooden handle, which is attached to the body with a God’s Eye design. The colors emphasize the re
The blue ribbon commemorates the fact that the basket won First Prize at the Maryland State Fair in 1995. It also won Third Premium at the St. Mary’s County Fair, Maryland. These awards not only recognize artist Ira Blount’s skill, they likely mean the basket was on display to a wider audience. As such, they fulfill his greatest hope: “that I can inspire others to create, to challenge themselves.”
In the early 1980s, archaeologists excavated land along Howard Road, SE before construction began on the Anacostia Metro Station in southeast Washington, D.C. Objects unearthed in the excavation revealed nearly 10,000 years of human settlement in the area. Their discoveries included a metal figure, possibly used for outdoor décor. Pegs under the elfin man’s shoes could be secured to a gate, for in
In the early 1980s, archaeologists excavated land along Howard Road, SE before construction began on the Anacostia Metro Station in southeast Washington, D.C. Their discoveries included household objects, like this metal key. Though popularly known as a skeleton key, it is a “bit” or “barrel” key designed to open a singular lock, rather than a skeleton, or “master,” key. The bit is no longer attac
The Molo is a three-stringed lute (a lute is any plucked string instrument with a neck and a deep round back enclosing a hollow cavity, usually with a sound hole or opening in the body). The Molo is made of a wooden resonator and a wooden neck from which the strings are attached. The resonator is hollowed out from a solid piece of wood. There is a skin soundboard bound to the back of the resonator
A colorful origami crane is mounted on watercolor paper with a natural deckle edge. Gold metallic cord attaches to the bird’s back, a feature which could have enabled the object to be hung and displayed. The upward streaming of the cord creates a sense of motion and flight. This detail draws attention to the various methods of viewing and exhibiting origami.
This porcelain doll’s head, arms, and legs can move. Her features include painted brown eyes, rosy cheeks, and brown skin. The baby doll’s dark brown hair is a combination of curls painted and molded on the porcelain and yarn gathered into three ponytails on the top and sides of her head. She wears a beige dress and, underneath, a white tunic with thin brown stripes. The doll belonged to Jacquelin
This small round basket has many closely spaced staves. It resembles a traditional “Nantucket” basket in its shape, which mirrors the barrels traditionally used in the whaling industry on the small, New England island. The metal hardware that secures the traditional “swing” handle to the rim is also characteristic of Nantucket baskets. The bottom is attached to a small, round piece of wood.