Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number

CAS 0370-0825   CAS 0370-0825; Basket plaque
Category Basketry
Object Name Basket plaque
Culture Hopi
Global Region North America
Country USA
State/Prov./Dist. Arizona
County Navajo
Other Geographic Data Hopi Indian Reservation; Second Mesa
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1950s
Collection Name Elkus Collection (Native American)
Materials Galleta grass (Hilaria jamesii) stems; Yucca (Yucca angustissima) leaves; Vegetal dyes
Description Round wall plaque with flat base and very shallow and widely flaring sides; Plaque is woven in coiled technique over bundle foundation; Small coil-wrapped loop is attached at top of plaque for hanging it on wall; Warp fibers are galleta grass stems and weft fibers are finely split natural and vegetal-dyed yucca leaves; Design consists of a Palhik' Mana figure with elaborate tableta in colors of yellow and red and black, facial marks in same colors, and wrap around dress that is woven in black with red and yellow belt and black and white motifs on a sash woven in overlay stitches; Figure's bare arms are rust brown in color; Final two coils of basket are woven in alternating light and dark (black) blocks; Overall background is natural sun-bleached color.
Dimensions (cm) Thickness = 3.6, Max Diam = 29.4