Miniature Basket Tray of Grass and Devil’s Claw Fibers [SOLD]

The Tohono O’odham (formerly Papago) and Akimel O’odham (formerly Pima) are kin groups who weave baskets in much the same style.  It is sometimes difficult to determine from which tribe a basket originated. There are very few women from either tribe who weave baskets in the old style.  In the mid-20^th century, basket makers began making miniature baskets to fill the need of collectors.  Such small baskets had no function for the Natives.

This shallow tray is as traditional in style and materials as the older larger ones, only it is in miniature scale.  It dates to the early 1960s.  Weaver’s today have to go off the reservation to find the yucca and devil’s claw.  The yucca leaves are bleached in the sun to obtain the white color.

Condition: excellent original condition

Provenance: collected in the 1960s by a resident of the Midwest

Recommended Reading:  Traditions in Transition—Contemporary Basket Weaving of the Southwestern Indians by Barbara Mauldin