I come across a good number of Wabanaki (a confederacy of Eastern Algonquian nations encompassing the Abenaki, Mi'kmaq, Wolastoqiyik, Passamaquoddy and Penobscot) baskets especially up in Maine and pass by most of them. This, though, is an especially charming old Mi'kmaq basket, and pretty unusual for sitting on three little woven feet. It is constructed of various sizes of both dyed and natural ash splint and sweet grass, twisted to resemble rope around the exterior, and so to my eye calling to mind sailor made macrame baskets too. With lovely ash splint curls and woven sweet grass handle on the lid. I believe likely made as a sewing basket, c. 1920s I believe.
5 1/2" t x 6 1/4" d Good condition, great warm patina. One or two cleanly broken splints around the lip of the lid on one side; one can see how the weaving of the twisted grass "rope" differs just a bit there. Not visible from the other side, and just makes one want to be a little gentle with it.