Louisiana Cultural Vistas - Spring 2008 - (Page 32) MELISSA DARDEN (CHITIMACHA, BORN 1968) Louisiana Basket Tray, contemporary Spilt river cane commercial dye; height 2-1/8 inches, diameter 7-5/8 inches MELISSA DARDEN (CHITIMACHA, BORN 1968) Louisiana Basket Tray, contemporary Spilt river cane commercial dye; height 2-1/4 inches, diameter 11 inches MELISSA DARDEN (CHITIMACHA, BORN 1968) Louisiana Basket Tray, contemporary Spilt river cane commercial dye; height 2-1/4 inches, diameter 8-1/4 inches Fanner baskets were originally used for winnowing grains. These three fanners by Melissa Darden are contemporary versions by a master basketmaker who continues the Chitimacha fondness for traditional designs and forms. The designs represented here have been used for more than a century. On the tray at the far left, Melissa Darden has used the “broken plait” design on the inside of the basket. Floating over seven wide black and red bands are six zig-zag plaited lines in natural cane. The middle basket has been woven around a small 32 LOUISIANA ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES\Spring 2008 Maltese-cross motif, a reference to the sacred cardinal directions. The cross motif is enlarged with four red and black bands that frame the sides, dividing the basket into nine sections. Chevrons and step motifs radiate from the sides of the cross. The basket on the right has a bold design composed of two motifs: the wide black and red bands form the background, and five round “Cattle eyes” float over them. To diffuse the background, Melissa Darden has woven small natural squares of cane throughout the bottom of the basket.
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