Posted 9 years ago
Fritziii
(25 items)
This was given to me by a close friend who has had this for the better part of 30 years, I could use some help, just would like to know if anyone found help determine the age and maybe an idea of where it might have came from, the person he got it from was an avid antique and Indian collector whom we both knew. Thanks in advance for any info and help!
It used to keep heated tortillias in. If it's Native American, then probably flat bread.
That's supposed to be It's, not It... :)
It's African, not Native American. a traditional coiled basket from Ethiopia.
Coil baskets are made in many places around the world. Without reading the comments this reminded me strongly of the collection of baskets a friend had - all made by Native Americans in the Southwest (Arizona, New Mexico, etc).
However, since coil baskets have been made almost everywhere that tall grasses/pine needles grow, a point could be made that the colors/patterns/designs (more than the coiling) will ultimately help you find where it was originally created: north/central/south America, Africa, New Zealand/Australia, or even Europe or Asia.
In terms of its use, the culture of origin may have had a particular purpose for it, but if it was made as an art/tourist piece the use may be up to the user (or purely decorative). I've seen grains and seeds stored in containers like this (lidded to keep out elements (heat/cold) and debris. I have also seen tortilla/bread baskets, as shareurpassion indicated.
At this point, if canyonroad is familiar with all types of baskets and patterns, I have to defer to them. I have seen African baskets, but always with a label. I've never had to separate them from the ones used in the SW US.
The part that throws me off, to be honest, is the crossing of the reeds on the bottom. Most coil baskets I've seen/made, start the coil at the center of the bottom of the basket (or insert a decorative piece in the center for artistic merit) and in the center of the lid. If this technique of crossing reeds before starting the coil is common in Ethiopia, then, indeed, canyonroad may have your answer. (I can't find any baskets online that use this technique: Native American, Ethiopian, or otherwise.)
The patterns, colors, weaving technique, and designs on baskets can all be copied by any competent basket maker. The only thing that can't, is the local materials. So that is the primary identifying feature of any basket.
Southwest Native American coiled baskets are primarily made from yucca. This basket is made from palm fiber. It has a very distinctive look, but it's one a person has to learn to recognize.
It's the specific combination of material, technique, colors, and designs that enable one to narrow down the identity of a particular basket. The plaited crossed start is used on some twined Native American baskets, but not on any coiled baskets that use these colors and material. It's a technique used by several tribes in Africa, and commonly found on baskets from Namibia, South Africa, and, less frequently, Ethiopia. These designs, colors, coiling technique, and material, however, are very typical of Ethiopian baskets.
I wouldn't use online "research" to try to identify baskets. So many are misidentified, unless you are using museum data bases, from museums that specialize in basketry, or recognized basket specialists.
The book described in this article could be a good resource:
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/the-craze-for-traditional-native-american-baskets/
CanyonRoad is correct. This basket was made in Africa.
However, I will certainly agree that the book is a good investment!
Another recommendation would be "Art of the Basket, Traditional Basketry from Around the World" by Bryan Sentance.
Thanks all for the help!!!