Antique Papago Basket

ca. 1920

2.375" H x 9.375" D

Hand Woven Bowl with a Golden Tan Patina Field and a Dark Brown Sunflower Motif Design

In Very Good Condition

An antique Papago basket is a traditional woven basket made by the Papago people, now known as the Tohono O'odham ("Desert People"). They are Native American artisans from the Sonoran Desert region of southern Arizona and northern Mexico.

Tohono O'odham (Papago) and closely related Akimel O'odham (Pima) peoples have a long tradition of basketry. Early baskets were primarily utilitarian—used for carrying water, firewood, food gathering/preparation, storage, and even ceremonial purposes. Many older examples were coiled tightly enough to hold water.