Arizona Tray Basket

20th Century

1.625" H x 5.25" D

Hand Coiled with a Buttterfly Motif with Red Yucca Root, Devils Claw and Willow from the 3rd Quarter

In Very Good Condition

Butterfly motifs appear in Tohono O'odham/Papago baskets, sometimes in polychrome (multi-color) styles with red, black, and natural tones. Examples include vintage trays or shallow bowls featuring butterflies (or similar winged/insect-like figures) as pictorial designs, which became more common in the 20th century for both traditional and market/sale pieces. Red from yucca root (often banana yucca or similar, providing a reddish-brown hue for accents). Black from devil's claw (Proboscidea pods/splints, a tough fiber for dark designs). Natural/light tones from willow (used for sewing/stitching or elements). These are classic fibers in Southwestern U.S. basketry, especially among tribes in southern/central Arizona.