Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number

CAS 0370-0892   CAS 0370-0892; 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; Third Mesa
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture prior to 1930
Collection Name Elkus Collection (Native American)
Materials Sumac (Rhus sp.) stems; Rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus sp.) stems; Yucca (Yucca angustissima) leaves; Vegetal dyes
Description Round plaque with slightly domed center and gently flaring sides, woven entirely in wicker technique over multiple warps; Basket start shows a technique that was seldom used by ca. 1930; Warp material is probably sumac stems and weft material is natural and vegetal dyed rabbitbrush stems; At the rim, one stem from each group of warps is bent over and incorporated into a bundle that is coil-wrapped in dyed black yucca leaves; Geometric design consists of red and green central area, surrounded by several large triangular motifs in red green, and natural colors, all outlined in black; Narrow band of alternating red and green blocks, outlined in black, encircles rim.
Dimensions (cm) Thickness = 4.8, Max Diam = 43.5