Rare Yuki Deep Bowl Basket, Circa 1900 [SOLD]

The Yuki were one of the most northerly of the coiling groups in California surrounded almost completely by tribes whose basketry was twined in construction. Their language was unique and was related only to that spoken by the Wappo Indians and with no identifiable relationship to any other North American Indian language. Although they were a war-like people, their small numbers were no match for the Spanish and later, the Americans. They were quite adversely impacted during the 18th and 19th centuries, becoming almost culturally extinct. Very few of their baskets were ever collected and fewer have survived the rigors of time.

This rare piece is one of the most artistic and finely woven examples for this tribal group. Its handsome, precise design could mislead one into thinking that this basket was Maidu in origin. This similarity to Maidu weaving might be explained by the fact that what few Yuki were left by 1900 were placed on the Round Valley Reservation along with the remaining Wailaki and Nomlaki Indians whose baskets closely resemble Maidu work. However, key features that identify this as a Yuki piece are: direction of the coil is to the right; a twined start; and a random partial scraping of the split sewing shoots creating a somewhat mottled background. The coil is made up of three peeled dogwood rods. Sewing materials are split red bud for the design elements and split and peeled red bud for the tan background. There is an interesting backstitch to the rim finish going back seven stitches.

This is an exceptional piece for both rarity and design quality. It is in excellent condition.

Recommended Reading: American Indian Basketry of Northern California (click here to view details of book) by Christopher Moser. (Available from Adobe Gallery)