Object TypebasketPlace CollectedAfrica: Botswana, Central District, Nata
Item Details
Object TypebasketPlace CollectedAfrica: Botswana, Central District, Nata
Accession Number
2020.4.7LOT
Title
rigid, decorated coiled basket
Object Status
original
Category
organic tools
Object Type
basket
Portion
body and lid
Creator
unknown
Date Made
1970's
Place Collected
Africa: Botswana, Central District, Nata
Culture
Tyua
Cultural Region
Southern Africa
Collected By
Vierich, Helga
Materials
organic > floral > bark; organic > floral > leaf; composite
Techniques
coiled; woven
Description
A rigid, decorated coiled basket and lid made from the vegetable ivory of unopened mokola palm leaves. Composed of a palm fibre bundle for the coil foundation of the base, there are intentionally split stitches on…
A rigid, decorated coiled basket and lid made from the vegetable ivory of unopened mokola palm leaves. Composed of a palm fibre bundle for the coil foundation of the base, there are intentionally split stitches on both the interior and exterior surfaces, as well as interlocking stitches that wrap around two coils for the structural support of the body's of the basket and lid. An overhand knot is reinforced with stitches in the center of these bodies. The dyed reddish-brown decorative stitches are comparable to the “Knees of the Tortoise” and the "Forehead of the Zebra" patterns seen on the Botswanacraft website, which utilizes natural and dyed stitches to create nested diamond shapes. Donated by Helga Vierich, it originally held ostrich eggs.
There is slight wear on the working surfaces of the basket body. These include the bottom rim from holding weight, and the stitches near the rim are broken and worn, most likely from handling. The lid also has slight wear on the working surfaces, including the stitches near the rim that are broken and worn, most likely from handling. On the non-working surface of the body, there is dirt, down feathers, and some insect castings.