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The Late Frances Williams Well-known West Coast Nuu-Chah-Nulth weaver, Frances Williams was born November 22, 1919 in Sarita, B.C. Her work was familiar to that of her aunt, Marry Moses. Frances learned to make baskets as a child from her mother, Annie George. Frances' two daughters, Nellie Dennis, & Lenora Frank both weave in the tradition of their mothers. The Nuu-chah-nulth & Nitinat use a swamp grass that has a mottled effect, varying from white to green. Swamp grass weavers sometimes traded for bear grass, which has a glossy surface that yellows with age, this grass is hard to obtain & is tougher & narrower. Frances made her baskets with pronounced peaked lids and slightly flaring sides. She never began her baskets with a "criss-cross". The bottom of her baskets are nearly as fine as the sides & are also woven in a wrapped twinning technique, as opposed to being started with a checkerboard style weave. For the colors, Frances dyed the grass for her baskets with dye purchased in the United States. The exceptionally fine and even weave of her baskets is achieved by splitting the grass into very thin & even widths, and by a lifetime of practice & patience. Serious collectors around the world have always sought after her baskets. On Monday, May 13th 1996 Frances (Fanny) Williams passed away happily & peacefully on route from Victoria to her home in Pachena Bay. Basket Weaver
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2002 House of Himwitsa |
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