The Role of Collaboration in Art Conservation 2
A UV image of possible berry stains on the exterior of the basket
How was this basket used?
Information gained while collaborating with specialists about an
artwork or artifact may help determine how the basket was used. The
collaboration may also influence conservation treatment. While
conferring with Teri Rofkar, a Tlingit basket weaver from Sitka, Alaska,
possible berry stains on the exterior were discovered. This discovery
led to an educated guess that the object was probably used as a berry
basket. The raised start, or bulge, at the bottom of the basket may
occur during construction due to either haste or lack of skill.
Traditionally, the berry basket would be humidified and the raised start
pushed in to create a flat base. Teri requested that this step be
completed during conservation treatment out of respect for the basket.