New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1901-03-12
BASKETS OF MANY KINDS.
INTERESTING DISPLAY AT PRATT INSTI-
TUTE ART GALLERY-CNIQCE EN-
HIBIT BY THREE WOMEN.

Lessons In basket weaving are the latest addi-
ton tn the study Of arts and crafts in Pratt Jnst
tute Brooklyn. and interesting examples made in
the classes part OF the basket exhibition now
displayed in the art gallery of the institute They
include round baskets, with and without covers;
oval square and melon shaped baskets, flower and
strap baskets clothes heaters rattles and mats.
The materials used are rafha, splint, rattan.
grasses etc
Basketry comprises one Of the courses Of the
domestic art department. of which Miss Harriet S.
sackett is director. The first class formed was
composed Of normal students, and only simple
forms suitable for childrens work taught. In
class Of women, formed later instruction is given
in more intricate weaves and more latitude is al
lowed for ingenuity in design, form, color and ma
terials
Nothing" said Miss sackett yesterday a Trib-
reporter gives better training in the study Of
form technique and color than basket making. and
while knowledge Of the industry may not be of
commercial advantage. it may be useful in the
home. We find that those who have received in
struction in these crafts do the best work in the
sewing and dressmaking classes. 1t is not our aim
10 teach the art, however. a trade"
Basket making Is the fad of the hour and women
who have hitherto devoted their leisure moments to
laee making and embroidery are beginning to turn
'neir attention to the study of Weaves and dyes.
display Of baskets made by Miss Lima Eppen-
oorf and the Misses Francis fills several cases in
eho baskets Of many shapes. Materials native TO
'hs part Of the country in their natural colOrings
are employed in them. These include grasses,
seoges. rushes and the soft silky husks of Indian
corn The only artificial dyes used are TO color
me hemp employed for the cross weavings. and in
Rost cases these are obtained from vegetables. A
fascinating tray in green and ivory tints is sewed
Win crimson hemp dyed with pokeberries. About
'hese baskets there is indescrfbable SHIN
ner ana sheen and iridescent quality OBJ
'alhaole only with natures own products. Many
" then combine the tender greens and yellows of
me sprlngtime and others the warm autumn hues
- iose' crimson, violet and darker greens. while
"HS seem 10 have caught a stray sunbeam
ar me largest part Of the gallery is occupied by
z u5spay OF Indian baskets belonging largely to
hfnseLIic s. Pratt and used by him decora te his
s,a q, room IN his home Glen Cove, Long ISL
4, aille mis- collection is not large many
10, ohlalhs excellent specimens of the oldtme art
IT, setn TOO often in the East. Among them are
a.lpIlcated baskets from the Thompson River
I-st.dhts feather basket made by the Pomas
i,rnra pashets combining grasses and beads in
ses.tla h1 ivory ard frightened with tiny red
81. '.ets, hawaiian and Fiji Island fans. braided
kess oesh from palm leaves: eXquisiely fine bas-
avs .4aoe oy the Aleuts and seldom seen here
no. an old Puma cooking basket, scorched with
sloies several old rugs i'm blues and
sr,araLs,, mace oy the Navajos are not the least
,,s,ssLhg part Of the display. The exhibit will
'iiue until the end Of the month.