Diné (Navajo) Very Large Pictorial Basket [SOLD]

This very traditionally-made basket features an innovative design. It was constructed with a single-rod sumac foundation, topped with a twist of yucca fibers, and finished with a rim in herringbone weave in traditional Navajo fashion.  The weave is of typical quality of Navajo-made baskets, and the condition is excellent.

The basket starts in the center with the design that is traditional to all Navajo ceremonial baskets. 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. Traditionally, the outer area would again be 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.

The area beyond the traditional design has been expanded to include nine pictorial designs representing the supernatural Yei spirits and a group of three corn plants.  It is not known who the weaver of this basket was.  When the owners purchased it they were not given the name of the weaver.

There are only a few basket makers among the Diné. There are several reasons for this:

First, there were many taboos placed upon a woman when she was making a basket.

Second, rug weaving was a much more lucrative task, so most of the women chose to make rugs.

Third, the Navajo found that their Ute neighbors would make baskets for their ceremonial needs.

Fortunately, there are a few Navajo women who have continued to make baskets.

Recommended Reading:  Indian Baskets of the Southwest by Clara Lee Tanner. University of Arizona Press, Tucson. 1983. There is an excellent explanation of the Navajo Wedding Basket in this book, including the many uses and the many restrictions imposed on Navajo women regarding making baskets.