Navajo Wedding or Ceremonial Basket [SOLD]

Navajo Ceremonial Baskets, commonly called Wedding Baskets, are constructed with a rod foundation of willow or sumac. The background or light color in the basket is natural sumac. The black and red are dyed. The black dye is derived from sumac leaves, twigs and berries crushed and boiled with a powder made from melted piñon and roasted ocher. The red comes from boiled mountain mahogany roots to which is added ashes of twigs of juniper and powdered bark of black alder.

The design involves a plain center, an area above that consisting of a repeated series of stepped black elements which join a series of plain red bands, above which is another series of black stepped elements. Finally, the outer area is again plain to the braided rim. An opening, or ceremonial break, penetrates the black and red designs and always extends to the end of the braided rim. One very simple interpretation is that the inner black steps represent the underworld, the red band is the earth and life, and the outer black steps stand for the upper world. The center spot in the basket represents the beginning of this earth as the Navajo emerged.

In the center (to help attach this basket to the wall for display) is a buffalo nickel that has been made into a button. This silver button is included. This basket is rather large for a basket intended for use by a Navajo Medicine Man in any of the healing ceremonies, so it is presumed that it was made for the purpose of being purchased by a collector. It is in excellent condition.