Basketry: Pine Needle, Native American

Basketry: Pine Needle, Native American

R 750.00
R 750.00
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Basketry: Pine Needle, Native American
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Basketry: Pine Needle, Native American

Basketry: Pine Needle, Native American

Vintage Coiled Pine Needle Basket, made by a Skilled Native American Artisan.

The precise maker is not identifiable without a signature or specific provenance. This style of coiled basketry has deep roots in Native American cultures, particularly among South Eastern tribes like the Cherokee, Choctaw, and Seminole.

Older pine needle baskets usually display a deep, rich, reddish-brown patina due to natural oxidation and exposure to light over many decades. Newer baskets often look lighter brown or even slightly greenish/yellowish, depending on how recently the needles were harvested and dried. Note the natural signs of consistent use — there is a slight fraying on the inner basket lid and consistent wear patterns can indicate age and utility, differentiating them from decorative pieces made recently.
More Details

Artisans often used natural materials like native grasses, split cane, or raffia for the binding thread. The handle was added later, as is clearly visible when comparing the colour of the fibers. It also appears that it may have come loose and was reattached with modern synthetic thread. Visible on the basket where the handle was attached.

Stitch Type Analysis: Your basket appears to use a variation of the "wrapped" or "coiled" stitch (where the binding fiber wraps around each previous coil). This general coiling method is widespread. South Eastern United States (Seminole, Cherokee, Creek): These tribes historically used longleaf pine needles and natural binding materials like swamp grass or sinew. The style is highly consistent with this tradition, which later spread as a folk art. 

Material Clues: The binding material appears to be a natural fiber, most likely raffia (a common substitute for traditional grasses as the craft became popular in the 1920s). Handle Construction: The handle is a simple braided cord. Visual Verification: Visually, the dark, rich patina of the pine needles suggests a potential age, as natural fibers darken over time with oxidation and light exposure. The tight bound, even coils point to a skilled maker. 
Did you Know?

Basket weaving remains a vital cultural legacy, with techniques and knowledge passed down through generations, connecting contemporary artisans to their ancestors. This style of small, lidded coiled basket is highly consistent with traditional Native American practices, particularly among the South Eastern tribes, where such items were essential for daily life. 

Traditionally, baskets of this shape and size were commonly used for vital purposes such as Seed Storage, where the tight weave made them ideal for storing small items like seeds, protecting them from moisture and pests. Food Processing, where they were also used for gathering, winnowing (sifting), and serving food, functioning as the indigenous equivalent of modern bowls and containers.
Origin & Era

Native American Origin, Circa 1920’s (Potentially an Antique).
Dimensions

Approximate Dimensions: Height 15cm, Length 19cm, Width 8.5cm, Strap Length 52cm.
Vintage Condition

Good antique condition consistent with a 100-year-old handcrafted piece.

Visible Flaws: Minor age-related wear throughout. The pine needles display a deep, rich reddish-brown oxidation patina consistent with genuine age. Slight fraying visible on the inner basket lid edge. The handle shows evidence of having been reattached at some point using modern synthetic thread, visible at the attachment points. No structural breaks or unravelling of the main coiled body.
Price
R 750.00
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