Paiute Pitch Water Basket

ca. 1890

4.875" H x 6" D + 1.5" D Opening

Hand Woven and then the Basket is Coated Inside and Out with a Mixture of Hot Pine Pitch (tree resin), Red Clay (ochre), and sometimes Soil. The Pitch Seals Gaps, while the Clay Adds Color and Durability, giving a Reddish Brown Hue and 2 Handle 

Excellent Condition with Typical Aged Wear

The Paiute pitch water basket, also known as a kadu o’sa or water bottle basket (tus in some dialects), is a remarkable example of traditional craftsmanship from the Northern and Southern Paiute peoples of the Great Basin region in the western United States (primarily Nevada, Utah, and parts of California and Arizona). These baskets were essential for survival in the arid desert environment, where water is scarce, and they represent ingenious engineering using natural materials. Unlike typical baskets, these were designed specifically to carry, store, and even cool water, functioning much like a canteen or jug.

Provenance:  From the Len and Toni Wood Private Collection, Laguna Beach, California