Akimel O’odham (Pima) Basket with Man in the Maze Design [SOLD]

The Akimel O’odham women made wonderful baskets up until around the 1920s after which they slowly quite making them as commercial utilitarian vessels became available and after finding that tourists were willing only to pay one or two dollars for a basket that might have taken weeks to make.  One of the favorite designs of the Pima and Papago (Tohono O´odham) was that of the Man in the Maze.

According to O'odham oral history, that labyrinth design depicts experiences and choices we make in our journey through life. In the middle of the "maze," a person finds their dreams and goals. When one reaches the center, we have one final opportunity (the last turn in the design) to look back upon our choices and path, before the Sun God greets us, blesses us and passes us into the next world.

This Man in the Maze small tray is an excellent example of the style.  It was expertly made and is still in excellent condition. 

Provenance: from a member of the Balcomb family

Recommended Reading: Indian Baskets of the Southwest by Clara Lee Tanner