Early Havasupai Coiled Basketry

Ca 1900-1920

Size: 3.5" H x 5.5" D

Excellent Condition

Very similar to the Chemehuevi and Apache style of Southwestern coiled basketry, the Havasupi also use the willow and devils claw weft and the three rod foundation. The start is usually willow or very minimal use of devils claw as in this example, and their motifs are generally open and simple, similar to a lot of the Chemehuevi. This form is classic Havasupai and is one of the strong identifiers.

The Havasupai, or "People of the Blue-Green Water," are a small tribe historically centered in Havasu Canyon, a side branch of the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Known for their isolation—living below the canyon rim near waterfalls like Havasu Falls—they developed a distinct basketry tradition tied to their environment and semi-agricultural lifestyle. "Early Havasupai basketry" refers to pieces from pre-contact times (before 1880s Anglo influence) through the early reservation era (1880–1920), when traditional forms persisted despite growing trade.

Characteristics of Early Havasupai Basketry:

Technique: Havasupai baskets are exclusively coiled, a method shared with neighboring tribes like the Hualapai and Southern Paiute but refined for their needs. They used a foundation of willow, sumac, or three-leaf sumac (Rhus trilobata), coiled tightly and stitched with split willow or, occasionally, yucca fiber. Coils are dense, reflecting durability for canyon life.