Indians of the Northeast assigned meaning to the
symbols on their baskets. Shapes like domes, dots, triangles,
leaves, curls and bars were beautifully arranged into designs
we call medallions, strawberries, trails, stockades and vases.
Basket designs represented communities of people, places, territories;
stories of the Nipmuc people.
Medallions are four domes or other shapes placed around an open central space. Nipmucs and other Natives had unique ways that they made their medallions. To many, these medallions represent groups of people, or family strength. This design is a traditional way to depict sky-domes that represent the "four directions that guide the traveler or call the winds" (Tantequidgeon & Fawcett).
Stains, Dyes and Paints
