Makah Miniature Open Basket

Early 20th Century

1.75" H x 1.75" D 

Hand Woven with a Tan Background with Blue Diagonal Stripes, Deep Purple Bird Motifs and a Golden Brown Rim and Checkered Square Bottom

Excellent Condition 

Makah miniature open baskets are exquisite examples of traditional Native American basketry from the Makah Tribe, an indigenous group residing on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State, near Neah Bay and Cape Flattery. These baskets are part of a rich weaving heritage where women crafted functional and decorative items using natural materials like cedar bark for the warp and bear grass for the weft, often employing a distinctive "wrapped twining" technique that creates a smooth, durable surface. Unlike pottery, which was not part of Northwest Coast traditions, baskets served everyday purposes such as gathering, storage, cooking, and even holding water.