Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number

CAS 0370-0056   CAS 0370-0056; Basket water jar
Category Basketry; Vessels
Object Name Basket water jar
Culture Western Apache
Global Region North America
Country USA
State/Prov./Dist. Arizona
County unknown
Other Geographic Data unknown
Maker's Name Toni Dodge
Date of Manufacture ca. 1900-1940
Collection Name Elkus Collection (Native American)
Materials Willow (Salix sp.) shoots or sumac (Rhus sp.) stems; Piñon pine (Pinus edulis) pitch
Description Large jar-shaped water bottle with concave base, rounded body, high tapering neck, and tall wide neck with slightly flaring rim; Warp and weft material is sumac or willow shoots; Basket is woven primarily in plain diagonal twining, with several rows of 3-strand twining on base and along shoulder for extra strength; Warp rods are bent over at rim and coil-wrapped; Two carved wooden handles are bent into "U" shapes with outward flaring ends that are secured with coiled stitches to sides of basket just above and below shoulder; Rim is wrapped in black devil's claw; Entire interior and exterior of basket are covered with heavy coating of brown piñon pine pitch; Possible decorative wide line along shoulder is darker than surrounding area, possibly produced by using overheated (burnt) pitch, as underlying weft stitches are not dyed or painted.
Dimensions (cm) Height = 44.5, Rim Diam = 19.6, Max Diam = 37.1