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Antique Mescalero Apache Indian Lg Coiled Basket 11-Point Star Design c 1880-90s

$ 231.79

Availability: 78 in stock
  • Modified Item: No
  • Tribal Affiliation: Apache
  • Condition: Good. No breaks to wooden 2-rod & bundle foundation or other structural damage. No repairs. Does show multiple areas of stitch loss around the rim commensurate with long-term Native use for gathering fruits and other wild foodstuffs (see photos).
  • Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
  • Origin: Ruidoso, New Mexico
  • Provenance: Ownership History Available

    Description

    Rare Mescalero Apache Indian Large 17-inch+ Diameter Coiled Basketry Shallow Bowl or Tray with 11-Pointed Star Design, circa 1880-1890's
    This very rare large Mescalero coiled basketry shallow bowl or tray is the earliest and most complex in design I have seen in person or in published reference sources. The unusual 11- pointed star or petal design is outlined with red yucca root stitching, which cross at the tips and then form the outline of stepped pyramids which terminate at the rim. The stacked 2-rod (probably) sumac foundation is topped with a cushioning bundle of plant fibers. This characteristic Mescalero coiled basketry foundation results in fairly wide coils, in this example about 1/2" width, but there are still fully 20 coils showing from the center start to the rim.
    The careful selection of subtly different colored yucca or wooden splint stitching beautifully accentuates the overall design of the basket. Despite the multiple small areas of stitch loss on the rim, this piece is structurally sound and feels strong and capable of supporting the weight of gathered materials. It is quite probable that this basket was used by a Mescalero family for at least 2 generations. It was found in Ruidoso, NM adjacent to the present day Mescalero Reservation high in the Sacramento Mountains.
    This basket is of an age, patina, and quality in design and construction that make it a classic museum-quality example.
    Condition: Good. No breaks to wooden 2-rod & bundle foundation or other structural damage. No repairs. Does show multiple areas of stitch loss around the rim commensurate with long-term Native use for gathering fruits and other wild foodstuffs (see photos).
    Dimensions: 17-3/8" diameter (maximum width), 2" deep, coils: +/- 1/2" wide