Salt-glazed border tiles made from kiln-fired red clay, used to line walkways and gardens. Made by slave labor on a plantation near Hickory Hill, South Carolina. Four tiles exist in the collection, two of each shown here.
Thick coiled rice fanner made of bulrush fastened with palmetto leaf. Although this is a contemporary basket, it is a very old form; few basketmakers use bulrush today because it is extremely tough to work.
Thick coiled basket of bulrush fastened with palmetto leaf. Contains two handles; used as a hamper or a trash basket. Although this is a contemporary basket, it is a very old form; few basketmakers use bulrush today because it is extremely tough to work.
Thick coiled round basket of bulrush fastened with palmetto leaf. Although this is a contemporary basket, it is a very old form; few basketmakers use bulrush today because it is extremely tough to work.
Glass server with handles and eight sections for glasses. The center section is open; bottom of tray has open star configuration. Made of sweetgrass and pine needle, sewn with palmetto leaf. Also called a "ring tray."
Sweetgrass magazine tray with cross handle. Tray is made of sweetgrass, bulrush, and pine needles sewn with palmetto leaf. Tray is accented with pine knot decorations.
Coiled, oblong fruit basket with cross handle made of sweetgrass, bulrush, and pine needle, sewn with palmetto leaf. This basket was created by a left-handed artist, visually evident by the slant of the palmetto leaf wraps. The wraps in a right-handed basket typically slant to the left, while the wraps in this basket slant to the right.
Manilla, a type of metal currency formerly exchanged for slaves, especially in West Africa. Originally imported from Europe then later re-cast and used as a local currency.
Manilla, a type of metal currency formerly exchanged for slaves, especially in West Africa. Originally imported from Europe then later re-cast and used as a local currency.
Two manillas, metal currency formerly exchanged for slaves, especially in West Africa. Originally imported from Europe then later re-cast and used as a local currency. These were made in Birmingham, England.