Paiute Beaded Small Basket

ca 1930-1950
Size 2" H x 3.25" D

Tightly Woven with Red, Dark Green, Yellow, Blue, Light Green, Black and White Glass Seed Beads with a Geometric Pattern

Excellent Condition

Paiute beaded small baskets are a distinctive form of Native American basketry created by the Paiute people, who are indigenous to the Great Basin region of the United States, including parts of Nevada, Utah, California, and surrounding areas. These baskets represent a blend of traditional weaving techniques and early 20th-century innovations, where finely woven grass or willow bases are covered entirely or partially with colorful glass seed beads. This beading technique emerged around the turn of the 20th century, transforming utilitarian items into decorative art forms that were often made for trade or sale. The Paiute (both Northern and Southern branches, including subgroups like Mono Lake Paiute) are renowned for their tight, symmetrical weaves and intricate designs, which symbolize elements of nature, geometry, or cultural motifs such as butterflies, stars, zigzags, or animals like owls and teepees.
Small beaded baskets typically measure 2–5 inches in height and diameter, making them miniature or "small" compared to larger burden or storage baskets. They were crafted using coiled or twined methods on a foundation of willow rods or split willow, with beads sewn individually into the interstices (spaces between stitches) for a seamless, vibrant covering. Materials include natural fibers like willow for the structure, and imported glass beads (often from Italy or Czechoslovakia) in rich colors like deep blue, red, orange, and black. These baskets were not only functional for storing small items like seeds or jewelry but also served ceremonial or artistic purposes, reflecting the Paiute's deep connection to their environment and history of gathering pine nuts, seeds, and berries.