Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number

CAS 0370-0893   CAS 0370-0893; 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 ca. 1920-1930
Collection Name Elkus Collection (Native American)
Materials Sumac (Rhus sp.) stems; Rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus spp.) stems; Yucca (Yucca angustissima) leaves; Vegetal dyes
Description Round plaque with domed center and convex shape, woven entirely in wicker technique over multiple warps; Basket start shows a technique that was seldom used later than ca. 1930; Warp material is probably sumac stems and weft material is natural and vegetal dyed rabbitbrush stems; At the rim, one warp 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 an orange central area, encircled by a narrow dark green band, followed by wider orange and black checkered band, pale blue band, and another dark green band; Narrow band of alternating black and orange blocks, edged in black, encircles rim of plaque.
Dimensions (cm) Thickness = 4.3, Max Diam = 31.4