$795.00
Shipping calculated at checkout.
ca 1890
Size: 7 1/4" x 3 1/2"
A very tighly woven food bowl with the whirling fret motif. Small stitch and coil. Deep patina of age and native use. A very handsome form and pleasing basket and a relatively rare form.
Shows minor wear typical of age, overall in Very Good Condition
The Pima, or Akimel O’odham ("River People"), are a Native American tribe from southern Arizona, historically centered along the Gila and Salt Rivers. Renowned for their basketry, they descend from the Hohokam, whose irrigation legacy they continued as farmers. "Fine antique Pima basketry" refers to pieces crafted between roughly 1880 and 1930, a golden era when baskets served daily needs—carrying, cooking, storing—and became coveted trade items as Anglo settlers arrived during the Gold Rush and beyond.
Characteristics of Fine Antique Pima Basketry
Technique: Pima baskets are coiled, a labor-intensive method where a foundation of bundled grass or rods is spiraled and stitched tightly with finer materials. They typically use 4–6 coils per inch, showcasing exceptional skill compared to broader Apache coils. The process begins with a central knot (often a four-square or plaited start), radiating outward in precise, watertight layers.
Materials: Sourced from their desert environment:
Willow: Split shoots for stitching, providing a light tan base.
Devil’s Claw (Martynia): Black seed pods for dark patterns, harvested in late summer.
Beargrass or Cattail: Foundation bundles, adding strength and a subtle green when fresh (fading to tan with age).
Pre-1900 pieces rarely used dyes; natural hues dominate.
Condition:
Very Good
Tribe:
Pima
Year Range:
1875 - 1900
Region:
Southwest
Dimensions:
7.25 in3.5 in
Category:
Basket - Winnowing Tray - Bowl
