This beautiful antique olla basket was made by a once known weaver of the Akimel O'odham tribe (Pima) around 1900. It has a rounded form with a small neck & a flaring rim; this is a non traditional shape created to appeal to the tourist market which helped basketmakers by providing a means to support their families & changed the artform. This has an energetic graphic design with a bold linear pattern in dark brown devil's claw against the lighter background which has aged to a rich toasty brown patina. There is a cross on the base, not connected to the rest of the linear pattern, which is nontraditional & speaks of the weaver's creativity. It was built using slightly flattened coils of cattail fibers wrapped with wood from trees that lined the riverbanks: willow, cottonwood or mesquite. These materials became less available after Roosevelt dam was completed in 1911 upriver, diverting much of the water (later baskets were wrapped with yucca instead of wood). This weaver tucked the ends in which & adds interest to the weave with these tiny diagonals dotting the surface (generally these are cut). This measures approx 9" H x 9" W x 9" D. It is sure to be a favorite in any collection as an native American work of art. 

Excellent to very good condition! It is missing two stitches at the rim & some of the devil's claw has become a lighter color commensurate with age. Otherwise strong & complete. 

LZB