Historic Rectangular Basket, c. 1920
Pima Culture, Arizona
willow, devil’s claw
4” high x 6” wide x 4” deep
Pima basketry refers to the finely coiled baskets made by the Akimel O'odham (Pima or River People) of central and southern Arizona.
Weavers use a grass or three-rod foundation wrapped with bundles of willow, cattail, and bear grass for the light background. Devil's claw, a native desert pland pod, provides the striking black or dark brown geometric patterns. Unlike stiff rod-foundation Apache baskets, traditional Pima baskets feature a grass foundation that makes them more flexible.
What sets this basket apart is the highly unusual rectangle shape and extremely fine weave.
