"A Delight to the Eye": Native American Baskets in the Hands of Crescent City Ladies.

The article explores the fascination of Crescent City women with Native American baskets, specifically Choctaw and Chitimacha baskets. Prominent figures like Neltje Doubleday, Josephine Ellis, and Eliza Nicholson played key roles in promoting and preserving these traditional crafts. The involvement of white women in supporting Indigenous communities through their patronage is highlighted, showcasing a mix of fascination, philanthropy, and cultural exchange. The interactions between artists, collectors, and Choctaw weavers reveal complexities in pricing, patronage, and cultural preservation efforts. Overall, the efforts of New Orleans women in collecting and promoting Indigenous basketry reflect a blend of cultural appreciation and insensitivity, ultimately contributing to the recognition and preservation of Native American craft traditions. [Extracted from the article]