All Jicarilla baskets are of coil weave, usually of sumac, but sometimes of willow. Traditional geometric patterns and triangles are woven into the basket's design with darker colored material.

Weight (Lbs): 1.37
Height (In.): 5.5
Width (In.): 15
Depth (In.): 0.25
Size: 65.5 x 4.0 x 4.0"
Maker: Native American
Material: Sumac and or willow
Date: C. 1890-1920
Provenance: N/A
Condition: This basket is most likely made of sumac and is in very good condition. The weave remains tight, with no cracking or unraveling.
History: Apache is a collective term for several culturally related groups of Native Americans living primarily in the Southwest, which includes the Jicarilla and the Western Apache. Because they were a nomadic people, though usually within a very limited territory, they did not take to making pottery. They did, however, weave and became very skilled in the art of basketry. The Jicarilla Apache basketry covers a long span of time, but very little is known of their work before they were settled on a reservation in 1887 in northern New Mexico. Of all Southwestern Indian basketry, that of the Western Apache has long been admired for its craftsmanship and beauty. Again, the Apache were somewhat nomadic and relied on hunting and gathering as a means of subsistence. Basketry was a convenient vessel for gathering nuts, roots and other edible items. In earlier days, the average Apache home would have a number of baskets around to be used in the day-to-day activities. A water jar (tus) would be used to go to the river for water. It would be brought home and emptied into a larger tus. Trays would be used for storage of foodstuffs or for winnowing. Burden baskets would be used for hauling large quantities of food or even firewood.