Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number

CAS 1991-0010-0002   CAS 1991-0010-0002; Basket
Category Basketry
Object Name Basket
Culture Akimel O’odham (Pima)
Global Region North America
Country USA
State/Prov./Dist. Arizona
County Pinal
Other Geographic Data Area generally east of Phoenix
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. late 1800s
Collection Name N/A
Materials Bear grass (Nolina erumpens) stems; Willow (Salix sp.) shoots; Devil's claw (Martynia sp.) pods
Description Round basket with narrow diameter base and rounded sides that rise to a very wide mouth; Basket is woven in coiled technique over a bundle foundation; Warp material is bear grass stems and primary weft material is peeled and split willow shoots; Designs are woven of black devil's claw pods and include a large solid black round area that covers entire base, with 5 pendant triangles around its edges, forming a 5-point star motif; Each point of the star extends outward with a diagonal line which then turns horizontally; Narrow rectilinear meandering line parallels central motif and its extensions, and remaining areas are filled with 5 larger black triangles that are pendant from the rim and also include horizontal extensions; Final rim motif is woven entirely of black devil's claw; Rectangular metal belt buckle is woven into upper exterior side of basket.
Dimensions (cm) Height = 12.4, Max Diam = 39.3