Hopi Coil Basket

Handwoven Hopi coil basket by unknown weaver. A lot of preparation is done before a coiled basket can be made. The weaver usually collects the plants needed after July, however the materials that are required to produce a basket can sometimes be difficult to find, due to the lack of rainfall and growth of the plants. The weaver now more than often has to look further to gather the plants. The coils are made from bundles of galleta grass stitched over with thin strips of yucca to form the outer layer. Weaving a coiled basket requires significant skill and knowledge which is handed down from the women in the family. The design depicts a Kwahu (eagle) Kachina.