Featured Large shallow basket - Origin? Age? Use?

Posting this for a friend. Only pics I have. Hope they are sufficient. 28" dia. x 5" tall.

 

@Taupou .....looks like a lid to a large storage basket...

 

Either a lid, as komo said, or maybe a winnow?

 

It is very well made. Not sure where it is from, though.
The rim finish looks like what the Jicarilla Apache do, but I believe they usually coil counter clockwise (when looking at the inside). @verybrad - have you seen the basket? If so, can you tell if there are faded colors on it?

 

It's African, but that doesn't narrow it down too much. I'd say probably Ghana, but similar baskets are made in several other African countries. It looks like coiled palm fiber, as far as material goes.

I agree, it does appear to be the lid to a large storage basket. Especially if that raised pattern in the weaving extends across the other side of the area that isn't shown, that would indicate it's a lid, rather than the bottom of a shallow basket.

 

@Taupou
This isn't the first time I have thought this.
So decided it should be said:

I really like when you answer questions.
Always understandable and knowledgable.

Thank you so much for being part of the forum.

 

Thank you, and everyone else who makes this such a great place, in so many ways. I feel very fortunate to be a part of a community like this.

 

I have seen this basket. There is variation in color but it seems pretty random. I can't tell if it is purposeful or natural.

Thanks much. Not sure what you mean by "if that raised pattern in the weaving extends across the other side of the area that isn't shown". The zig zag pattern? … and you mean that it extends to what appears to be the underside?

The zig zag pattern is seen on both sides of the vertical wall and extends completely around the basket. The underside is identical to the top side, without pattern other than the coiling.

 

the color change is in the palm fronds....& I'm still of the mind that it's a lid looking for a much deeper base.