Fish trap by Harri Higgs
Maker
Harri (Sandra) Higgs
(1962)
Date1996
Object number00030313
NameTrap
MediumDevil's vine
DimensionsOverall: 310 x 825 x 325 mm, 0.36 kg
ClassificationsTools and equipment
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionA fish trap made by Harri (Sandra Ann) Higgs. The basket is made from vine known as Devil's Vine and is woven and twined into a cone shape. Harri Higgs is a Murri woman born in Coen, Queensland but now lives in Spring Beach, Cape Barren Island. She was given permission to make the bags, baskets and traps of her mother-in-law's country of Cape Barren Island and the west coastal areas of Tasmania.SignificanceBaskets and fibre bags are an essential part of the equipment of the Palawa.Traditionally women made baskets and bags from Juncus reed for carrying personal items and for collecting food. Today flax, cordyline, jute, raffia and cotton string are used often with feathers knotted into the fibre.
