With hundreds of vivid and detailed colour photographs and an easy narrative style enlivened by historical vignettes and images, the authors bring overdue appreciation to a centuries-old Native American basketmaking tradition in the Northeast. Explore the full range of vintage Indian woodsplint and sweetgrass basketry in the Northeastern U.S. and Canada, from practical "work" baskets made for domestic use to whimsical "fancy" wares that appealed to Victorian tourists. Basket collectors may compare four regional styles: Southern New England and Long Island, Northern New England and Canadian Maritimes, Upper New York State, and the Great Lakes. Learn of the craft's key role in supporting many Eastern Algonquian and Iroquoian peoples through generations of turmoil and change. Discover how today's creative young artisans are building upon their legacy. The book's "Resources" section guides readers to relevant websites and publications as well as northeastern Indian basketry collections in more than 30 public museums.

AUTHOR: Sarah and Bill Turnbaugh are both retired anthropologists who have held museum and university teaching positions. Schiffer has published several of their previous books on Native American arts, including Indian Baskets, Indian Jewelry of the American Southwest, and most recently, 'American Indian Baskets: Building and Caring for a Collection'. 470 colour and 35 b/w photos.