TRADITIONAL AND INVENTED PATTERNS
There were not many differences between the patterns or types of materials of different tribes when Alfred Kroeber published his article "Basket Designs of the Indians of Northwestern
California" in 1907. Currently few weavers can name more than two or three patterns either in Indian or English and it is more prevalent for basketmakers to select a design by personal
preference. Most traditional design names are based on those of animals or parts of the body, however there are notable exceptions like the frequent flint design (fig. 20). Most scholars
conclude designs were not symbolic in early historical times. Many weavers now select patterns from baskets in local museums or from catalogues with basket illustrations. Newly invented
marks or patterns were not highly respected by Lila O’Neale but even in 1929 many of her informants expressed admiration for invention and creativity in design.
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