Apache Very Large Pictorial Basket Bowl [SOLD]

There are some baskets that demand one’s attention and admiration.  This world-class Apache basket bowl is large in size (22 inches) and amazing in design—39 animal and human figures.  Such a basket must have required a year or more to make. The materials used for making it had to be gathered in a particular season when they were mature.  Once gathered and stored, each blade of material had to be treated individually, such as splitting each to the correct width for the weft design. Devil’s claw requires peeling the skin off the core of the plant. Foundation rods require soaking so that they can be properly bent.

Once all the materials have been gathered and prepared, the weaver can start making the basket.  A basket of this size certainly could have taken her a year to complete. Each of the animal and human figures and other designs required a change of materials during the weaving process.  This is a time-consuming procedure . To undertake such a monumental project requires the patience and skill of a master weaver.

Each coil of the foundation has to be slightly enlarged from the previous coil so that the basket grows in size as it grows in height.  This requires off-setting the row slightly out from the previous one. If not executed accurately, the basket will not be perfectly circular.  A basket such as this one was not the work of an unskilled artisan.

This basket is a masterpiece by an unknown Apache woman whose labors provide us today with what must be considered a national treasure.  We, as collectors, are fortunate that such care was taken by an Apache woman to produce such a beautiful work of art from natural materials assembled with primitive tools but in an expert manner.

Condition: this Apache Very Large Pictorial Basket Bowl is in very good condition

Provenance: from the collection of a family from Colorado.

Recommended Reading: Apache Indian Baskets by Clara Lee Tanner