Prize Winning Pictorial Yavapai-Apache Basketry Plaque [SOLD]

Yavapai means “people of the sun.” Today, the Yavapai live in Central Arizona on the Camp Verde and Fort McDowell Reservations. The tribe has shared this area with a group of Apache, and are frequently referred to as “Yavapai-Apache.” Although their ancestors spoke different languages, Yavapai being a Yuman language, and Apache an Athabascan language, they often intermarried and shared elements of each other’s culture.

Basketmaking has been part of the Yavapai-Apache culture for centuries. After the arrival of the railroad, and the new market of tourists, basketmaking flourished.

There is not an artist’s name on the prize-winning basket, but it is obvious from the tight weave and finely rendered design this was made by a very skilled artist.

This large, 16-inch plaque begins with a starburst in the center. The starburst is framed with five bird-like elements. Surrounding the avian designs are human and dog designs. There is a ribbon attached to the basket which identifies it as “First Premium” from the New Mexico State Fair, Albuquerque, 1971.  The judge was none other than Al Packard, famous Santa Fe Indian art dealer.

Condition: this Prize Winning Pictorial Yavapai-Apache Plaque is in excellent condition

Provenance:  From a collector in Albuquerque

Recommended Reading:  Apache Indian Baskets by Clara Lee Tanner