Hopi Polychrome Third Mesa Wicker Plaque [SOLD]

Wicker plaques or yungyapy as they are called at Hopi are the most common form of basketry at Third Mesa. Although a large number are made for sale, even a larger number never leave the reservation. They are used in payment for the Hopi bride's wedding robes, used as gifts to repay favors or for work performed, or as prizes in footraces. They are also used as part of the dance paraphernalia in women's dances and as gifts to newborn babies.

The warp material in wicker baskets is usually a single stem of a rigid nature. The weft is a material, usually stems from rabbit brush, which is more flexible. The basket is started in a cross-warp fashion and the weft is woven around the warps in a circular pattern. Generally the weft material is dyed with vegetal dyes to produce a large pallet of colors for designs.

This plaque is one of the largest in diameter of those we have had in the past.  It is possible that the design is meant to show a hint of a katsina mask. 

Condition: This plaque is in extraordinary condition with very minor fading of colors. 

Provenance: ex. coll. Frances Sonnenberg, Santa Fe resident.