Yavapai Apache Polychrome Pictorial Basket [SOLD]

The members of the Yavapai-Apache Nation, a sovereign Native American tribe from the Verde Valley, Arizona, have two culturally distinct backgrounds and speak two indigenous languages. The Yavapai originate from Yuman-speaking peoples known as the Pai and the Apache descend from an Athapaskan background similar to other Apache groups to the East.

Originally, the Yavapai and Apache tribes were separate and distinct tribes who coexisted peacefully for several hundred years. They have existed as one tribal nation since 1934. The Yavapai-Apache Tribal reservation is located at Camp Verde, about 90 miles north of Phoenix and 50 miles south of Flagstaff, along Interstate 17.

This large pictorial Native American Basketry OLLA dates to the late nineteenth century, circa 1890s. It is constructed with a 3-rod willow foundation, and willow and devil’s claw stitching. Horizontal bands and squares are decorated with checkerboard squares and some with small dots.  The design was executed in red and black.  There are small animals that may be wolves or dogs as decoration.

Condition:  There is one rim break, missing stitches at mid-body, and three broken ribs at mid-body.