What did Native Americans use to weave baskets?
The Southeastern tribes, often used pine needles and wicker, while the Northwest Indians used spruce root and cedar bark. Yucca and sumac were often used by the Southwest Indians. Anything pliable could be used in basket weaving as long as it was bendable and could form a shape.
Which Native American tribes used baskets?
A Southwest tribe like the Navajo most often used yucca, sumac, or willow to weave their lovely, coiled baskets.
Are Indian baskets worth anything?
Native American baskets are among some of the most popular and pricey objects sought after by collectors, historians, and students of early cultures. Depending on origin, tribal relationship, and condition, quality Native American baskets range in value from $5,000 to $50,000.
What are the three techniques used in Native American basket weaving?
There are three main weaving techniques: coiling, plaiting and twining. Basketry of the Northwest Coast uses numerous variations of these methods.
What is the history of basket weaving?
Basketry is an ancient craft (8,000-6,000 BCE) – pre-dating pottery or stone carving. Few actual examples exist because baskets are made of biodegradable materials. The earliest evidence we have found of basketry is pottery shards, dated before 8,000 BCE, found in Gambols Cave, Kenya.
What Native American tribes weaved?
Navajo weaving, blankets and rugs made by the Navajo and thought to be some of the most colourful and best-made textiles produced by North American Indians. The Navajo, formerly a seminomadic tribe, settled in the southwestern United States in the 10th and 11th centuries and were well established by 1500.
What tribes made pine needle baskets?
The pitch or resin was used as a sealer. The Sovereign Nation of Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana, Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana, the Clifton Choctaw, Four Winds Tribe Louisiana Cherokee Confederacy, and the Choctaw-Apache Tribe of Ebarb all make coiled pine straw baskets.
How can you tell how old a basket is?
Look also for wooden handles and fine work throughout the body of the piece. The surface of an older basket will bear witness to its age, perhaps with a nicely darkened surface, wear in expected places (on handles, for example), and/or some wear to surface paint, if present.
What is an Apache burden basket?
The burden basket of the Apache tribe is one of the most quickly recognized items of material culture of the people. The baskets were once made for everyday use in collecting or gathering wild foods, or to cultivate crops like corn. Large burden baskets were sometimes made for food storage.
How do you clean old Indian baskets?
To clean, dust frequently with a feather duster or brush with camel or sable hair bristles. Never vacuum your handmade Native American basket. Do not apply cleaning agents or chemicals as this will permanently damage the basket’s organic materials.