Makah Basket Over a Glass Jar

ca. 1920 - 1930's

7.25" H x 3.125" D

Hand Woven Basket over a Tall Glass with a Weaved Geometric and Bird Motif Design

In Very Good Condition

The Makah people (an Indigenous tribe from the northwestern tip of Washington's Olympic Peninsula) have a renowned tradition of basketry, using materials like cedar bark, bear grass, and roots to create tightly woven items for practical and ceremonial purposes. Since the late 19th century, Makah weavers (primarily women) have incorporated European trade goods, such as glass bottles, into their craft by weaving decorative baskets directly over them.

Covering glass bottles (often imported liquor, medicine, or soda bottles) with baskets transformed cheap, everyday items into unique, saleable souvenirs. These "basketry-covered bottles" were portable, durable for shipping, and appealed to outsiders fascinated by Native craftsmanship. By the 1930s, this had evolved into a major income source, helping sustain families during times of hardship.