Basket c. 20th century

This basket was woven by an artist from the Tohono O’odham or Papago people. The clean lines and geometric shapes are typical of O’odham basketry. The basket’s circular form and the diagonal, almost maze-like designs woven into its surface speak to O’odham conceptions of space and time. Looking at this basket, we might consider the longer history of O’odham art and culture in the Southwest of the United States. The O’odham have lived in the Sonoran Desert for thousands of years. Their weaving traditions reflect not only their environment but also the history of colonialism and cultural exchange in this region. Baskets have been used for gathering and storing food, as well as for ceremonial purposes. Museum collections such as this one offer opportunities to study the forms and techniques of O’odham weaving. Through careful study of the basket itself, combined with historical research into the O’odham people, we can learn more about the social conditions that shaped its production and reception.