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The
(Tah-hah-nah Ah-ah-dahm) people of Southern Arizona
are some of the finest contemporary basket weavers in America. They
specialize in two types of basketry. One is yucca (white
or green), devil's claw (black) or yucca root (red)
stitches over a beargrass foundation. The other is horsehair
weaving, using natural horsehair colors to make the designs. Many
Tohono O'odham are especially proficient at miniature work,
and both types may be seen in small form. While basketry
is a disappearing art form among most Native American tribes,
Tohono O'odham weavers persist in creating lovely pieces
despite the labor intensive process, not to mention the strenuous
tasks of gathering and preparing all of the materials. Open
stitch work tends to be less expensive, as fewer stitches
are required over the foundation "coil," and hence
less time is involved in the finished piece.
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Eldina Jose horsehair double snake design basket
1 3/8" diameter
$90. |
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Barbara Lewis (Tohono O'odham) eagle design basket, with beargrass, yucca and devil's claw
6 1/8" diameter and 3/4" deep
$58. |
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Mary Listo (Tohono O'odham) deer design basket, with beargrass, yucca and devil's claw
Don't see deer that often on baskets.
7 3/4" high and 1 1/2" deep
$69. |
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Esther Lopez (Tohono O'odham) Man-in-the-maze (life path) basket, made of bear grass, yucca and devil's claw
One of the most technically difficult patterns made by Tohono O'odham weavers; it is also one of their most famous and represents the story of the path of life.
10" diameter and 1 3/4" deep
$465. |
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Alice Raymond (Tohono O'odham) open stitch basket, with beargrass, yucca and devil's claw
8" diameter and 1 3/4" deep
$55. |
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Sara Sacramento (Tohono O'odham) fret design basket made of bear grass and yucca
A nice-sized basket for the price.
12 3/4" diameter and 3" deep
$198. |
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Tohono O'odham willow and devil's claw basket with a four-petal squash blossom pattern, circa 1965
This was woven near the end of the time when willow baskets were produced on a regular basis.
5" diameter and 3/4" deep
$765. |
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