Nineteenth Century Diné Very Large Basket [SOLD]

The standard wedding basket as we know it today is rare in collections of nineteenth century Navajo baskets in museums such as the Smithsonian Institution, the Field Museum of Natural History, and the Peabody Museum of Harvard University.  Most of the baskets in those collections are decorated with a variety of designs, none of which is like the design of today’s wedding basket. Designs such as Spider Woman crosses, spirals, whirling vanes or zigzag designs were used. There were no tribal restrictions on designs in the nineteenth century.

This very large basket has a design that might be called a zigzag design.  Like traditional nineteenth century ones, this one is comprised of only two colors—golden color of yucca and dark brown of dyed yucca.  The large star pattern at the bottom center provides the opening for the ceremonial line break as one tip of the star divides the banded pattern above.  As was true then, and is still true today, the ceremonial line break is located at the point were the herringbone rim comes to an end. That is a deliberate action necessary for a medicine man to locate the ceremonial break when the basket is in use in a dark hogan during a ceremony in which the ceremonial line break must point to the east.  

Older Navajo baskets, such as this one, are extremely rare on today’s market.  They are now over a hundred years old and many were used until they were no longer useable and then destroyed. Fortunately, astute collectors purchased and took care of some so that today there are some available that are still in very good condition.

This one shows little wear from use.  It was perhaps purchased by a collector shortly after it was made

Condition: this Nineteenth Century Diné Very Large Basket is in very good condition, strong and sturdy.  Some missing stitches on interior and on exterior bottom.

Provenance: from the personal collection of Santa Fe dealer and collector Marti Struever, who acquired it in 1999 and displayed it in her private living quarters.

Reference: Southwestern Indian Baskets - Their History and Their Makers by Andrew Hunter Whiteford, School of American Research Press, Santa Fe. 1988.