It seems that the Navajo primarily made the wedding or ceremonial baskets in the past, but now they have expanded to making a larger variety of shapes and designs.  The Paiutes of Utah also have made baskets for the Navajo. 

Baskets of the shape and style of this one are made for sale, not for use by the Natives.  It does not appear that this one has ever been used as it is in very good condition.

The four peaks in the design could represent the four sacred mountains of the Navajo.  This is, of course, left to the interpretation of everyone except the maker of the basket, as we really do not know what she had in mind.

Condition:  Very good condition

Provenance: from the collection of Katherine H. Rust

Recommended Reading:  Southwestern Indian Baskets: Their History and Their Makers by Andrew Hunter Whiteford