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Discover Mid-America - July 2007
Auction bargains in
Native American baskets
For collectors of Native American
baskets and other items there were bargains to be had at the May 5, James
Julia auction. Most sold for below estimates, while others didn’t
find a buyer. An Indian Pomo decorated basket with stylized butterfly
designs sold barely over
estimate at $540. A coil basket with an estimate of $150/$250 fetched
$174.50.
Who is buying Native American baskets these days? In addition to museums, private collectors and dealers, Native American museums often buy back their own tribal items with money from their casinos. The finest examples can bring over $20,000 at auction.
 |
| (1) Indian coil basket. (2) Indian Pomo decorated basket with stylized butterfly design. (photos courtesy James J. Julia Auctions. Fairfield, ME) |
CLUES
Unlike other collecting categories, there is little fakery, though contemporary basketry is often in the old style and designs. There are two types of baskets: tourist and utilitarian.
Baskets made for tourists were sold at the San Diego Exposition in 1915 by the Fred Harvey Company. They are quite collectible and prices aren’t as cheap as you might think. Unusual shapes and designs can bring over $1,000.
During the 1920s and ‘30s hundreds were made and sold to tourists at railroad stations, gift shops and roadside stands. Prices depend on quality. Finely and tightly woven baskets can raise the price.
The shape of baskets for utilitarian use was determined by their purpose. There were burden baskets, water containers, bottle shaped baskets to hold small seeds and water. Flat trays could hold food or winnowing grain. Rarity, age and condition are often more important than name attribution.
Since baskets are difficult to repair it pays to buy one in the best condition possible. Baskets made in the 19th century are considered choice. Good designs are important with animal figures usually more desirable than geometric. Favorites with collectors are baskets made in the Southeast and Southwest known for their fine figural work
When a basket is described as “Mission” this refers to the baskets made in California’s Franciscan Friars missions. Hundreds of baskets were made, mostly of sumac and rush. A good turn-of-the-19th century example with designs can sell at auction for over a thousand dollars.
Baskets made by tribes know for distinctive work bring top dollar. The Paiute Indians and the Yavapaiolla are considered among the best weavers in the Southwest. Most Paiute baskets were made in four colors: yellow, red, black and brown. Knowing what materials used by different tribes helps identify them. For instance the Florida Seminoles and Miccosukees made their baskets from pine needles. Western Indians used rush, yucca and grasses as well as willow or other materials native to their areas. Northwest Indians used grasses and roots. The fine baskets made by the Cherokees in North Carolina, Tennessee and Oklahoma were made from oak-splint and cane, often tinted with vegetable dyes. The Southwest Indians used the devil’s claw plant for basket designs in black. They were often trimmed with feathers, beads, horsehair and shells.
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