Pima/Papago
Papago small tray basket with handles is 10 inches by 7 3/4 inches and 1 1/2 inch deep. Featuring a " Key Design" made from Bear Grass, Yucca and Devil's Claw.
Simple and striking design swirls from the center of the black and white basket. Measuring 8 1/4 inches by 1 1/4 inches this tray is in excellent condition.
Papago oval tray is finely woven and in excellent condition. This basket has some age on it and a little patina. Measuring 7 3/4 inches by 5 1/2 inches and is 1 inch deep.
Papago oval tray measures 7 1/2 inches by 5 inches and is 1 inch deep. This basket is in excellent condition and has a finely coiled weave.
Papago basket measures 6 1/2 inches by 3 inches deep. This is an older piece that is in good condition with a lovely golden patina. The shape is very unique on this basket, made of Bear Grass and woven with Yucca and highlighted with Devil's Claw for the designs.
Featured is an old lid from a Papago basket. This is a fine example of quality weaving and is all that is left of what was more then likely a beautiful work of art. The condition is very good and the patina is a lovely Cocco brown and tan.
Tohono O' odham are the Native people of Southern Arizona, they are also known as the Papago. They are the most productive basket weavers working today and have been making these utilitarian functional works of art for thousands of years, using the same techniques and materials as their Prehistoric Ancestors.
A new basket made by Joquan Lopez uses the plants of Yucca, Bear Grass and Devil's Claw. Bear grass is the foundation, and Yucca is woven over that and Devil's Claw provides the black that is used in the designs.
Flat Papago tray woven with Yucca, Bear Grass and Devil's Claw. The Bear Grass serves as the bones of the coil. The Yucca is split and is the main stitching, the black is the Devils Claw plant and usually makes up the designs in the baskets.
The Papago people of Arizona are still making baskets and trays with techniques that are said to be one of the oldest crafts of the Native peoples. It is a time consuming craft and starts first with the harvesting of the materials, long before the weaving process begins. Featured is a Pima tray that is 13 inches in diameter and in excellent condition.
