Dark Brown and Golden Karok Basketry Food Bowl or Hat [SOLD]

C3876o-basket2.jpg

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Once Known Native American Weaver
  • Category: Bowls and Other Forms
  • Origin: Karok People
  • Medium: hazel or willow sticks
  • Size: 4” depth x 7-1/2” diameter
  • Item # C3876o
  • SOLD

Weaving a basket is the last step of the process of preparing to weave. The basket maker must spend tedious hours gathering and preparing materials prior to beginning to weave a basket. Selection of materials is a very personal and private process by a weaver. No one can select for her as well as she can for herself. It is a personal responsibility accomplished with pride. Interestingly, women do not gather extra materials for selling to other basket makers. This is another indication that gathering materials is a very personal event.

The foundation of this basket, or perhaps it is a hat, is very firm. The walls are solidly strong and not flimsy. The extensive dark brown color provides a rich background for the gold imbricated design. The age is unknown.

The word Karok, or Karuk, means upstream, a name the people used to distinguish themselves from their neighbors downstream, the Yurok. Except for their language, the customs of the Karuk were very much like the Yurok, resembling the people of the northern Pacific Coast (Oregon, Washington, Vancouver Island) more than those of the rest of California.

 

Condition: this Dark Brown and Golden Karok Basketry Food Bowl or Hat is in excellent condition

Provenance: from the estate of a former client from New York

Recommended Reading: Yurok-Karok Basket Weavers by Lila M. O’Neale, 1932

Relative Links: basketKarok

Close up view of side panel design weaving.

 

Once Known Native American Weaver
  • Category: Bowls and Other Forms
  • Origin: Karok People
  • Medium: hazel or willow sticks
  • Size: 4” depth x 7-1/2” diameter
  • Item # C3876o
  • SOLD

C3876o-basket2.jpgC3876o-large2.jpg Click on image to view larger.