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Gambling tray

ca. 1890–1900
Not on view
Returned to lender
This work of art was on loan to the museum and has since been returned to its lender.
Large, flexible gambling trays were popular among basket weavers living along the Oregon-California border. They were used in games played with two pairs of decorated sticks. Players moved the sticks back and forth under the basket while their opponents tried to guess their positions. Undyed golden-tan tule reed composes the background, and yellow-dyed porcupine quills and earth-dyed tule form the design. Although the design on this gambling tray was one favored by weavers, its significance is unknown.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Gambling tray
  • Artist: Unrecorded Klamath or Modoc artist
  • Date: ca. 1890–1900
  • Geography: United States, Oregon-California border
  • Culture: Klamath or Modoc
  • Medium: Tule, yellow-dyed porcupine quills, wolf moss
  • Dimensions: D. 3 1/4 × Diam. 30 in. (8.3 × 76.2 cm)
  • Classification: Basketry
  • Credit Line: Thaw Collection of American Indian Art, Fenimore Art Museum, Cooperstown, NY
  • Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing