I-0-74 Western Apache figured tray.
The Western Apache were traditionally Athabaskan speakers belonging to the Nadene family of languages who migrated from their homeland in the interior of northern Canada to the American southwest during late prehistoric times. Since complex coiled basketry was all but unknown among the Canadian Athabaskans, it is assumed that the Apache learned how to weave such baskets after their arrival in the southwest, possibly from the Pueblo Indians or from the Yuman speaking peoples such as the Yavapai who were in the southwest before the Apache and whose baskets are most similar to Apache work. Four major groups of the Western Apache are: Tonto, Cibeque, White Mountain and San Carlos. Their baskets are mostly indistinguishable consequently, the term Western Apache is applied to this body of weaving.
This large tray is particularly noteworthy in several ways. It is unusual to find an Apache tray this large with such a fine weave, most such trays are of a lesser weave. Second is its polychrome design, which uses an unusual amount of red yucca root. Few weavers used yucca root since it was difficult to dig from the ground and a demanding material with which to weave. And third, it is a figured basket, incorporating five individuals with lightning striking the ground next to their feet. All this, in combination with the stepped whirlwind design, makes for a vibrant example of Apache weaving with a visual sense of movement. Coiling is to the left using three peeled cottonwood rods (Populus) for the foundation of the coil. The sewing splints are split peeled cottonwood for the white, split devils claw (Proboscidea) for the black and split yucca root (Yucca) for the red. A striking example with excellent design quality from this important southwestern tribe.
17 ½ inches d. by 3 1/4 inches deep. Circa 1920. $8,950.00