THOUGHTS ON COLLECTING & ADMIRING NATIVE BASKETS

“Similar to textiles, baskets are typically traced to a specific region or tribe rather than to a specific individual as in pottery or jewelry. The unique styles of construction can make it less challenging to identify the origin, but there are still some overlaps in style. Tiny clues help give the astute collector a better idea of provenance, and sometimes even an approximate age. These clues also help spot imports. Vegetal material decays over time, so finding a century-old basket in excellent condition is rare. Proper preservation techniques help in maintaining the baskets for many decades.”