ELIZABETH CONRAD HICKOX (1873-1947)
AND HER DAUGHTER LOUISA HICKOX (1896-1962)
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Louisa was both an avid traditionalist and innovative experimenter. She acted as O’Neale’s translator and informant on many points of Karuk
tradition, yet she experimented with new patterns. O’Neale notes, "Louisa makes patterns for her mother." Louisa developed a method of
diagramming with x and - marks she used to plan designs on paper, but O’Neale notes she, "Doesn’t use squared paper." Planning on paper
reveals Louisa’s taste for innovation and experimentation. Louisa’s baskets are comparable to her mother’s in fineness of weave and running
patterns. The College of the Redwoods cap is typical in their favored right to left ascending patterns, in this example a zigzag in the center of the
pattern is very lively. Elizabeth used this same design on one of her most spectacular trinket baskets.
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