Tohono O'odham Olla Basket

Description:
Tohono O'odham basket c. 1940 with geometric designs in an Ella-style.

Dimensions:
Diameter: 11.5"
Height:9.5"

Basketry weaving is one of the oldest Native American traditions and technologies. The American Southwest has been and is still home to some of the finest basket makers. Tohono O'odam (formerly referred to as "Papago") baskets are made using a coiling technique. Beargrass is often used as the foundation of the basket with soaptree yucca leaves used for beige and yellow-green coloring, devil's claw seed pods for dark black, banana yucca root for red-brown, as well as other natural dyes.

Olla baskets have a thin neck and wide body. Traditionally, olla-style baskets and pots were used as vessels to carry water or cook.