Indian School Basket

ca 1930
Size 3" H x 7" D
Tightly Woven in Magenta, Orange, Green, Teel, Purple, Brown, Tan and Cream with a Diamond Shape Pattern Throughout
In Good Condition
The Navajo School of Indian Basketry was established in the early 20th century in Los Angeles, California, this school was dedicated to teaching and documenting traditional Native American basket weaving techniques. It was founded to preserve the craft amid cultural disruptions, such as forced assimilation policies that discouraged indigenous arts. The school compiled knowledge from Navajo, Apache, Pima, and other tribes, focusing on methods passed down orally for generations.
The school's most famous contribution is the book Indian Basket Weaving (first published in 1903, with reprints in 1971 and later). This manual details authentic techniques used by Native American weavers, allowing beginners to replicate designs that rival traditional ones. It's described as a comprehensive guide for amateurs and experts alike, covering everything from material selection to finishing touches. The book emphasizes that these methods produce baskets indistinguishable from those made by indigenous artisans, except for the weaver's background.