An early 20th c. woven basket in the form of a miniature pitcher.
Woven of tiny splint black ash wood and formed into a bulbous body and sharply woven pouring spout. Decoration of its base includes the addition of braided sweet grass, woven into its body during construction, a laborous decoration popularly utilized amongst Penobscott peoples. Its rim consists of a single bundle of straight laid sweet grass and is wrapped in a single coil of black ash wood. 
An applied handle consists of straight laid sweet grass backed with a single thin body of black ash and is double coiled for its reinforcement. 
While little is known of Northeastern splint work pitchers, utilization of sweet grass prior to later use of Hong Kong cord, popularity of tourism and occassional rivalry between basket makers build a reasonable explanation for its creation. 
Remains in superlative original condition with exciting surface patina mostly confined to its interior. Wonderfully made....a delicate and evident example of intricate basketry. 
Maine Penobscott origin. Ca. 1900 3 3/4"T x 3"W.