This bee skep base is from the early California mission system. It is an unusual coiled straw technique that was not often used in the early mission history. It could be that the skep was merely found at the mission but came from some other place. It is also possible that there a skep maker at the mission who came from a culture that employed this technique. This piece dates from the early 1840s and was the base that housed the bees after the top conical shaped hive was smoked. The smoke caused the bees to escape down into this base so the honey could be harvested. Notice how the the straw itself is twisted and used to hold each row together. All information, photographs and other artwork contained in this site are Copyrighted by The American Museum of Straw Art. Reproduction of any material is prohibited without prior written permission.