Alaskan Haida Knob Top Basket

This is a Haida Knob Top basket that I got about the same time as the miniature Rattletop basket. The Haida tribe and the Tlingit tribes are from the same areas and use the same types of weaves. I date this basket to be between 1900 to 1920, but it could be older. Natural color with black woven in, it stands about 2 1/2 inches tall (a bit more with the top on) and about 4 inches in diameter. It has darker coloring on top due to age but has no damage at all, except for some wrinkling around the top edges. With that said however, the knob top sits perfectly so maybe it was intentionally made like that. I love miniature baskets, they are so much harder to make and they look amazing. I will never get over the artistry that goes into Native American basketry. The time it takes to harvest the materials, waiting to start anything until it is seen in the mind of the maker before he/she begins. To weave a basket like this takes so much talent to make them perfect while at the same time, so simple that it looks like anyone could make one. I have a pretty big collection at this time but I am in no way finished with adding more baskets. I have a middle sized apartment and there are baskets everywhere, and some wrapped up in plastic in closets waiting to be brought out when I change up what I want to be out and putting away some that have been out for awhile. I envision in the next ten years or so to have to use an indoor storage unit so that I am not swimming in baskets from floor to ceiling LOL.
Enjoy the pics :)