Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number

CAS 0370-0883   CAS 0370-0883; Basket
Category Basketry
Object Name Basket
Culture Navajo
Global Region North America
Country USA
State/Prov./Dist. Arizona, New Mexico
County
Other Geographic Data Navajo Indian Reservation area
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1920-1950
Collection Name Elkus Collection (Native American)
Materials Willow (Salix sp.) shoots or sumac (Rhus sp.) stems; Aniline dyes
Description Round shallow wedding basket with rounded base and widely flaring sides; Basket is woven in coiled technique over 3 rod foundation; Warp rods are willow or sumac shoots; Weft fibers are peeled and split willow or sumac shoots; Design is woven of dyed willow or sumac shoots and consists of wide red band that encircles sides of basket, with row of contiguous terraced black triangles on either side of red band; Both red band and bands of triangles are interrupted by break in pattern known as the spirit path which points to the end point of the basket's rim and is oriented to the East during a ceremony.
Dimensions (cm) Height = 6.8, Max Diam = 33.3