$435.00
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Mid 20th Century
Size 11.5" H x Base 3.375" D + 1.375" D Lid
Hand Beaded in Orange, Teel, Black and White with Zigzag and Geometric Designs and a Removable Matching Lid
Excellent Condition
Paiute beaded bottle basketry refers to a distinctive form of Native American craftsmanship created by the Paiute people, indigenous to the Great Basin region of the western United States, including areas in Nevada, California (such as Mono Lake), Utah, and Oregon. The Paiute, including subgroups like the Northern Paiute, Southern Paiute, and Mono Lake Paiute, are renowned for their exceptional basketry traditions, which have been a vital part of their culture for centuries. Basketry served both practical and artistic purposes in this arid environment, where water was scarce, and items like bottle-shaped baskets were essential for storage, transport, and trade. The addition of beading—using tiny glass seed beads in intricate patterns—elevates these pieces into highly valued art forms, often featuring geometric designs, symbolic motifs (like butterflies or animals), or floral elements. These beaded bottles combine coiled or twined willow basketry bases with overlaid beadwork, creating waterproof or decorative containers that resemble bottles or canteens.
This craft emerged prominently in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, influenced by trade with non-Native settlers and tourists. For instance, around 1908, Mono Lake Paiute weavers adapted techniques from beaded net collars to create fully beaded baskets for sale, incorporating Italian glass seed beads in colors like turquoise, red, navy, white, and black. Beading on bottle forms was a sophisticated skill, requiring precise control to maintain the shape while embedding beads tightly into the weave. Today, these items are collector's pieces, museum artifacts, and subjects of contemporary exhibitions, reflecting ongoing Paiute cultural vitality.
