Featured Thoughts on broken baskets

I found these separately but they're both big and both damaged.

Are they both old?

I'm thinking the rectangular one is a Thompson River made-for-tourists picnic basket sans handles. Yes?

I was told the round one was also Canadian, but I'm thinking that one is more US Southwest.

Any and all comments welcomed and appreciated!

[#1 is 8" tall and 10.5 " wide
#2 is 9" tall and 14.5" wide]

#1:



#2:

 

yes, to the 2nd basket..... circa 1915

the 1st...reminds me of a Pima basket.... rod coiled...& the twist wrap to the rim...
similar in age.

but while the Thompson Salish basket is mostly still there...and presents well.....
the round basket.......is no more than good for a funky bathroom waste basket....


and remember, in the inimitable words of Komo.....
" an old broken basket, will always be just that....an old broken basket ! "

always search out ones that are not bust up.......

( & yes...there are always exceptions.....)

 

I tell ya, the words "a broken basket will always be just a broken basket" were totally in my mind... but until I win the lottery, a big, fine example of these kinds are beyond me. Until then, I can still learn a lot about style and detail and technique from the damaged ones, without spending a ton.

Thanks for the other info too!

 

The distinctive herringbone rim on the first one does appear on early Pima baskets, (as well as Navajo, Paiute, Jicarillas Apache, and Havasupai baskets). The basic shape looks like it could be Pima. But the traditional coil foundation of Pima baskets would typically be split cattail stems, and the foundation on your basket looks more like rods of stiffer woody material. I can't tell from the photos if it is consistently 3 rods, or perhaps more. 3 or 5 rod foundations are more characteristic of Jicarilla Apache baskets. Is there any sign of more colors in a design that may have faded?

I find damaged baskets very helpful in learning about the construction techniques.

 

Yes, I think it's three rods consistently, and that there is evidence of an almost completely-faded old design.

 

This separate basket is one of my most prized ones, and the similarity in its techniques, esp on rim, is what attracted me to this broken one.

 

similar ...
https://www.pinterest.es/pin/apache-basket-southwest--278378820692512992/

 

yup, that looks good.....3 rod coil, and rim treatment !!

I looked at Apache, but couldn't find what you came up with !!!

Your search skills get better by the day !!!

 

nice.
You know that's a Navajo wedding basket most likely made by the Ute tribe , to hold corn mush......... right ?

 

So do i.....but with photo's like the one's you.ve posted above..... I don't need to buy broken baskets anymore !! ....

 

with exceptions.......as always !

 

Ah yes, komo, I remember him well.
Btw, it is the inimitable komo, because he is truly inimitable. His words are true.

 

Nice find! Looks very similar.

Yes. As I said, it's one my favorite baskets I own. Whoever made it knew what she was doing!

 

She certainly did, it is skilfully made and beautiful.

 

the last one I sold still had corn mush residue stuck in the weave...!!!
it was 14 inches.

your colours are still vibrant....

 

Nice! That's certainly one way to verify authenticity!

 

I think I'm going to just make this my broken basket thread, since I seem to find so many of them.... Well, what can you do?

I think this one is Apache, though not sure, since the images of such in my books often have fringe with metal cones. This one 10" tall and 9" at its widest, slightly oval at the top.

I'll thank you in advance for any comments.

 

Can you count the number of rods in the coil foundation? And please post a view of the base from the outside/working surface.

 

I'd say from 5-7, varying a bit from place to place as best I can make out.

 

It might be Jicarilla. According to my references, they sometimes used 5 rod foundations. But it does look like there are more than that, at least in the rim. The coiling moves from right to left (counter clockwise on the outside), which is consistent with most SW basketry. But the rim finish is not the typical Jicarilla herringbone.