Temple Basket c. 20th century

This temple basket was made by an anonymous artist and its method is clear: coiling and weaving. It’s a testament to the art-making process itself, where repetition and rhythm become a form of meditation. The texture of the basket is so inviting, you can almost feel the give of the straw and the tightness of the weave. The materials are humble, but the craft is exquisite, and the white decorative stitching stands out like a carefully considered graphic element. Look at how the texture changes with each row, from the loose interior weave to the tightly packed rim. It reminds me of Anni Albers, who elevated weaving to an art form, exploring the possibilities of thread and loom. Like Albers’s work, this basket invites us to appreciate the beauty of simple materials transformed by the artist’s touch. It’s about embracing the imperfection and the unexpected, the way the materials speak through the maker’s hands.