Antiques
Tohono Oodham Wine Basket
- Item Number
- Live Auction 2
- Estimated Value
- 4500 USD
- Opening Bid
- 2000 USD
Item Description
A phenomenal Tohono O’odham Wine basket, 17 ¾” by 9”, circa 1890-1900. As stated in Terry’s book below written in the late 1970’s before the Tohono O’odham changed their tribal name, the Tohono O’odham perform a Wine Feast during the summer to beckon The Creator to send down rain from above which will nourish their newly planted crops. Allegorically they pick The Creator’s red fruit from the Saguaro cactus, ferment it, and then drink it, hoping to show The Creator that in doing so they might be "priming the pump” for him to start sending moisture down from the skies above as they are imitating his perfection as they quench themselves from his fruit which he has blessed them with. This basket was woven from Willow and Devil’s Claw over a cat-tail warp and in incredibly prime condition. A traditional Wine Basket like this one can hold water or wine without leaking a drop: just as well as a Tupperware or a stainless-steel bowl. The early weavers impregnated the inside of the Wine Basket with the fruit of the Hedgehog Cactus, sealing it watertight perfectly. The design shows the traditional “Generation” fret motif with the four frets signifying: Birth, Youth, Maturity, and Death…. a full generation. In over 50 years of dealing with the Tohono O’odham as an author and trader I have seen only a few of these baskets for sale, and most of them not in this kind of perfect condition. The art of making willow Wine Baskets unfortunately has been lost several generations ago. The appraisal of value is provided by Terry DeWald, a member of the Antique Tribal Art Dealers Association.
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