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This basket was collected by the owner's great-great Uncle Thompson. He was an Indian Commissioner in the Midwest during this period and spent time travelling in the Southwest.
This basket is a fairly large example of Hopi wicker weaving from Third Mesa. There are a number of stitches missing and a rim break which may be observed in the largest image. The interest in this basket is the age and provenance.
Materials for wicker weaving consist of sumac (Rhus trilobata) for the warp and several varieties of rabbitbrush for the weft. Yucca is used for sewing the rim. During this time frame, basket weavers were employing both native plant and aniline dyes. This basket is most likely a combination of both.
