Help this not so tech savvy old lady please!

Can anyone help me date this basket, and how can I tell if it is Hong Kong cord or sweet grass?

 

Thank you! Hopefully I will learn quickly!

 

Calling @komokwa

 

i see hong kong cord.......uniform twist..
it's a Northeast....tribal NA basket ..... a yarn basket...with that open hole in the lid...

In the 1930s, sweet grass was sometimes replaced by manufactured paper twine known as “Hong Kong cord,” in an attempt at efficiency and economy, but it was never as popular as sweet grass.

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The shape and structure, and the faded colors, look typical of northeastern Native American work. Such string/yarn holders were sometimes made with sweetgrass, sometimes with imported Hong Kong sea grass cordage, sometimes both. It would be helpful to see some closeups of the materials used, and the structure of the bottom of the basket to be sure. But Hong Kong cordage is typically very even, 2 cords twisted tightly together.

Modern Hong Kong sea grass cordage:

https://www.createandcraft.com/us/p...wDTeHlb6QJwwqbv8AwLgx4paDM8aPWiEaAlfAEALw_wcB

This basket, which was recently posted here, is made with Hong Kong cordage:

https://www.antiquers.com/threads/need-help-dating-this-sewing-basket.61155/#post-3948812

Here are some NE Native baskets. The one on the left is made with wood splints and Hong Kong sea grass. The 2 on the right are of wood splint and what looks more like sweetgrass. Sweetgrass was hand twisted and plied, and generally looser than the commercial Hong Kong cordage. Sometimes you can still detect the distinctive odor of sweetgrass inside a basket that has been closed, or placed for awhile in a closed bag or box.


https://www.jeffreysevans.com/auction/new-england-indian-yarn-or-string-holder-baskets-lot-of-three/

 

Thank you for your help!

 

Unfortunately I only have the camera on my computer, so the images are not so great. I paid $40. Do you think this was too much?

 

what size is it...........40 sounds acceptable ..

 

hit a sweet grass basket with a water mist.....and the smell comes back !

 

It's about 9" in height and 7" in diameter.

 

Everything looks correct for Native American work and, as @komokwa said, made with Hong Kong sea grass cordage, and wood splints. I don't see any sweetgrass anywhere. Other than being quite faded it appears to be in good condition. I think you paid a fair price.

 

here's one of mine........with the cross over sweet grass braids....as opposed to the twisted cord..

 

Oh, that is gorgeous, but surely out of my price range! I can still search though!

 

I'm sure you'll find one that makes you smile !

 

It's kind of my new goal. I may have to sell some "stuff" so I can get there.

 

What an informative thread! It's always interesting to hear from those who know about these things. And welcome to Antiquers, @Diane Bean !