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Bassinet woven with white oak splits
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Baskets, Cultural Objects

Clovis Boyd Bassinet

People
Maker/Creator: Clovis Boyd
Date
1936
Places
Wills Ridge (Alum Ridge District)
Material/Medium

White Oak

Specifications
  • Length: 31 inches
  • Width: 16 inches
  • Height: 11 inches
Description

White oak split basket woven to serve as a bassinet for Belva Jean Boyd; rimless with stakes tucked back into previous rows of weaving; narrow weaving splits used to finish off top; green and cream layers of paint were added over the years.

 

Keywords
white oak basket, bassinet, split basket
Bio Sketch

Clovis Dexter Boyd (1912-1988) married Roxie May Gallimore in 1935. He was the son of Dillard Monroe Boyd and Ethel Della “Katie” Kenley Boyd. Clovis and Roxie had three children: Belva Jean, Curbie, and Bobby Clovis Boyd.

Notes

This is the sole split basket known to have been made by Clovis Boyd. His wife Roxie sketched out the design she wanted before the birth of their daughter Jean in 1936. The bassinet was used by all three of their children and seven grandchildren.

After his retirement in 1974, Clovis began making rib baskets again at the urging of Roxie.  Clovis had learned how to weave this type basket from his father Dillard Boyd.