BOB MESIBOV TASMANIAN BARK BASKETRY

CONTEXT

In the 'world of wickery' weaving with bark is not that common within the range of 'materialities'. To a large extent this is because there is less of it relative to the various forms of 'wood' used for 'wickery' and the range of ways it is harvested, managed and put to work. Bob Mezibov's 'bark basketry' is focused on Tasmanian  plants and a late 20th C Tasmanian 'cultural landscape'. 

Nonetheless, 'bark basketry' has a rich set of traditions an 'cultural narratives' that deserve exploration and contextualisation.

In considering these images, and Bob's work in general, it needs to be said that these images represent a kind of cultural snapshot. During the decade of the 1980, when these images and baskets were made, it was a time when 'craft practice' was being celebrated and explored in a multicultural cum international context. Consequently, there are hints of 'the times' and in a Tasmanian context to be found in the images. Also, in a time when it was claimed that somewhere in the region of 10% of Tasmanians were members of a 'craft organisation'  or an organisation that was this talks about a different time.

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Mesibov Basket - Private collection, purchased Hobart circa 1983

LINKS

• 'Wickery and place' Ray Norman 1 June 2018 ... https://garlandmag.com/article/wickery-and-place/
• 'Wicker Wonderlust, a gallery experiment' Karina Clarke 1 June 2018 ... https://garlandmag.com/article/wicker-wonderlust-a-gallery-experiment/
• 'BASKETMAKERS OF TASMANIA' ... https://www.facebook.com/BasketmakersOfTasmania/
• Wicker Wonderlust Exhibition ... https://greenmagazine.com.au/wicker-wonderlust-exhibition-announced/
• WICKER & PLACE ... https://wickery7250.blogspot.com/p/w.html
•  Wicker Wonderlust Exhibition ... https://designtasmania.com.au/wicker-wonderlust/
• Bob Mesibov 'Unique Launceston millipede finally has a name' ... https://www.examiner.com.au/story/2967897/unique-launceston-millipede-finally-has-a-name/
• QUEEN VICTORIA MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY ... https://www.qvmag.tas.gov.au/Contact

A FEW TRAPS

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HATmaking

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WICKERY HANDLES

This porcelain teapot was made in China, c.1750-1770, where it was decorated with flowers and leaves in blue under glaze. Apparently, soon after it was exported to the Netherlands, with simple blue and white decoration fell out of favour, and more colourful designs were the new trend. To satisfy the demand, it seems that this teapot was overpainted in red, green, black, and gold enamels. Amsterdams Bont (colourful Amsterdam work) is the term used to describe this form of decoration. Ceramics overpainted in England are referred to as being clobbered. This teapot measures 4.75 inches high, 6.5 inches from handle to spout.

This teapot has an woven wickery replacement handle and straps and apparently there are few entirely woven repairs/replacements around. This one was most likely done by a basket maker rather than a tinker or a  jeweller. However, some European silversmiths used wickery handles over silver to insulate the handle. 

This teapot was most likely repaired in an urban city where silversmiths produced this class of work that typically used woven rattan cane for insulation. Such ‘wickery makers’ would have worked in close association with a network producers in various fields in both Europe and North America.

Somewhat curiously, wherever this ‘handling’ appears to take place it seems that ‘rattan cane’ is the material used.

Wickery handles in similar contexts