A classification of patterned design on Yurok, Karok, and Hupa baskets by the crystallographic symmetry classes which structure the design elements reveals that traditional designs, designated as “ours” by Yurok, Karok, and Hupa informants were recognized by these informants as “put together right” when they were consistently structured by two symmetries, p112 and pma2. Baskets said to be “not ours” were judged as “against the law” because, although they were also frequently structured by the two traditional symmetries, they were distinguishable by the addition of new colors and motifs. Ironically, despite the increasing breakup of California Indian society by white culture, turn-of-the century white collector demand for “authentic” baskets served to preserve the structure of the traditional design system. Collector demand enabled the Indians to make a living producing baskets, but these were only traditional in some aspects (structure) while other aspects were altered so that the “sale” baskets would be clearly distinct from those they made for their own use.
