Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number

CAS 0370-0795   CAS 0370-0795; Basket
Category Basketry
Object Name Basket
Culture Western Apache
Global Region North America
Country USA
State/Prov./Dist. Arizona
County unknown
Other Geographic Data unknown
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. early 1900s
Collection Name Elkus Collection (Native American)
Materials Willow (Salix sp.) shoots; Devil's claw (Martynia sp.) pods
Description Round jar-shaped basket with flat base, flaring sides rising to high rounded shoulder, and wide constricted neck with flaring rim; Basket is woven in coiled technique over 3-rod foundation; Warp material is whole peeled willow shoots and primary weft material is peeled split willow shoots; Designs are woven of black devil's claw and include a circular area in center of base, enclosed within a 4 point star whose sides are formed by 2 parallel terraced lines which continue up sides of basket all the way to rim, forming an all-over network of interlocking diamonds; Diamond-shaped spaces are filled with 4 each concentric diamonds, dogs, and humans, with 2 of the humans either standing atop a T-shaped platform or standing on one leg with the other leg crossed at 90 degrees; Final rim coil is woven with alternating light (willow) and dark (devil's claw) fibers.
Dimensions (cm) Height = 29.5, Rim Diam = 19.3, Max Diam = 26.6