Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number

CAS 0370-0899   CAS 0370-0899; 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; Tree yucca [Joshua tree] (Yucca brevifolia) roots
Description Very large and deep round basket with flat base and widely flaring sides, woven in coiling technique over 3-rod foundation; Warp material is whole willow shoots and primary weft material is peeled and split willow shoots; Designs are woven primarily in black devil's claw and include black circular area in center, encircled by band of alternating human and arrowhead forms, followed by second row of human forms (each one depicted with brown garters woven of brown yucca tree roots and black and white belt), and finally band of dogs (?) just below rim; Final rim coil is woven entirely in black devil's claw, except for final 5 cm which alternates devil's claw with willow stitches; Single rawhide loop is woven into rim coil terminus.
Dimensions (cm) Height = 15.1, Max Diam = 42.7