Dat So La Lee
Encyclopedia
Dat So La Lee, whose birth name was "Dabuda", meaning "Young Willow", (legal name Louisa Keyser), (c. 1829 – December 6, 1925) was a renowned American basket weaver
and one of the most famous Native American
artists of the 20th century. A member of the Washoe tribe in northwestern Nevada
, her basketry came to national prominence during the Arts and Crafts movement
.
basket
ry in the world.
in the construction of her basketry. She would usually start out with 3 rods of willow and then weave strands around that. Her predominate style was a flat base, expanding out into its maximum circumference and tapering back to a hole in the top around the same size as the base.
This is the degikup style that she popularized with Washoe basketweavers.
. Though very much surrounded by diverse cultures because of the recognition of her work, she would only have a Woodford shaman named Tom Walker treat her and prepare her for death. On December 2, 1925 they began a four day ritual to help her complete her days so that she could pass on to death. She died on December 6, 1925. Her simple marble grave marker reads "Dat So La Lee / Famous Washoe Basket Maker / Died 12. 6. 25." A nearby Nevada state historic marker
reads, "Myriads of stars shine over the graves of our ancestors."
Basket weaving
Basket weaving is the process of weaving unspun vegetable fibres into a basket or other similar form. People and artists who weave baskets are called basketmakers and basket weavers.Basketry is made from a variety of fibrous or pliable materials•anything that will bend and form a shape...
and one of the most famous Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
artists of the 20th century. A member of the Washoe tribe in northwestern Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
, her basketry came to national prominence during the Arts and Crafts movement
Arts and Crafts movement
Arts and Crafts was an international design philosophy that originated in England and flourished between 1860 and 1910 , continuing its influence until the 1930s...
.
Documentation
Dat So La Lee met merchandisers Amy and Abe Cohn around 1895. She worked as one of the maids in the household. They recognized the quality of Dat So La Lee's weaving and began to document every basket she produced from 1895 - 1925. This expanded to include about 120 baskets that are documented. Most if not all of these documented baskets where sold at Cohn's Emporium earning Dat So La Lee a comfortable lifestyle. The supreme craftsmanship of these baskets certainly add to the value, but the Cohn's early documentation certainly provide the catalyst to make Dat So La Lee baskets among the most sought after Native AmericanNative Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
basket
Basket
A basket is a container which is traditionally constructed from stiff fibres, which can be made from a range of materials, including wood splints, runners, and cane. While most baskets are made from plant materials, other materials such as horsehair, baleen, or metal wire can be used. Baskets are...
ry in the world.
Craftsmanship
Dat So La Lee primarily used willowWillow
Willows, sallows, and osiers form the genus Salix, around 400 species of deciduous trees and shrubs, found primarily on moist soils in cold and temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere...
in the construction of her basketry. She would usually start out with 3 rods of willow and then weave strands around that. Her predominate style was a flat base, expanding out into its maximum circumference and tapering back to a hole in the top around the same size as the base.
This is the degikup style that she popularized with Washoe basketweavers.
Resting place
Dat So La Lee is buried in the Stewart Cemetery on Snyder Avenue in Carson City, NevadaCarson City, Nevada
The Consolidated Municipality of Carson City is the capital of the state of Nevada. The words Consolidated Municipality refer to a series of changes in 1969 which abolished Ormsby County and merged all the settlements contained within its borders into Carson City. Since that time Carson City has...
. Though very much surrounded by diverse cultures because of the recognition of her work, she would only have a Woodford shaman named Tom Walker treat her and prepare her for death. On December 2, 1925 they began a four day ritual to help her complete her days so that she could pass on to death. She died on December 6, 1925. Her simple marble grave marker reads "Dat So La Lee / Famous Washoe Basket Maker / Died 12. 6. 25." A nearby Nevada state historic marker
Nevada Historical Markers
Nevada Historical Markers identify significant places of interest in Nevada's history. The Historic Marker Program was initiated by the Nevada State Legislature in 1967 to bring the state's heritage to the public's attention with on-site markers...
reads, "Myriads of stars shine over the graves of our ancestors."
External links
- Nevada Women's History Project page on Dat So La Lee
- Dat So La Lee page at California Baskets