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Tohono O'odham Polychrome Pictorial Basket

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:125.00 USD Estimated At:400.00 - 800.00 USD
Tohono O'odham Polychrome Pictorial Basket
Featured in this lot is a Mid-Century Tohono O'odham Hand Woven Polychrome Pictorial Basket. This cylinder shaped basket features human and animal figures situated above Kiva steps, symbols that look like stairs. The steps usually represent three levels: birth, life, and death (after-life). The Pima Indians, Akimel O'odham, located in central and southern Arizona, are known for their fine and intricate watertight basket-weaving. At the turn of the century, the baskets served as a vital instrument used for religious ceremonies, as well as carrying, preparing, and serving food, washing, collecting, storing, trading, payment, and gifting. Pima Indian basket materials are Devil's Claw (Martynia), willow, yucca and Bear grass. Tohono O'odham basket makers are among the finest in Native America. All materials are natural, as are all the colors - no dyes are ever used. Preparing the materials and forming the baskets is a very labor-intensive process. This basket is in very good condition, weaving is tight, a rich patina is noted throughout, no obvious marring observed. Measures 5" diameter, 3.5"H.*