Smaller Jicarilla Apache Woven Basket with Diamonds [SOLD]

This small Jicarilla Apache basket, dating from the 1930s-40s, is a beautifully crafted example of the tribe's renowned basketry tradition. Measuring 11-½ inches in diameter and 3-¾ inches deep, it features a round form with four large diamond designs, a pattern commonly seen in Jicarilla craftsmanship.

The Jicarilla Apache, whose homeland lies in northern New Mexico near the southern Colorado border, have been expert basket makers for centuries. The very name "Jicarilla" is believed to derive from the Spanish term for "little basket." Like their Navajo neighbors, the Jicarilla primarily use sumac as their weaving material, creating baskets that are both durable and visually striking.

Originally, baskets like this were crafted for winnowing grain, an essential part of daily life. However, as interest in Native American arts and crafts grew in the 20th century, the Jicarilla adapted their artistry to meet the demands of tourists and collectors. This basket, with its elegant form and intricate design, represents that transition — bridging functional tradition with artistic expression for a wider audience.

Condition: excellent condition

Provenance: This Smaller Jicarilla Apache Woven Basket with Diamonds is from a collector in California.

References and Recommended Reading:

- Tanner, Clara Lee. Apache Indian Baskets, The University of Arizona Press, Tucson, 1982

- Whiteford, Andrew Hunter. Southwestern Indian Baskets - Their History and Their Makers, SAR Press, Santa Fe, 1988

TAGS: Native American Baskets, Apache, American Indians