I-M-213 Apache miniature polychrome 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. Miniature trays are seldom encountered among the Apache and may have only been done by little girls as practice or learning pieces. This little example has the typical black tondo in the center and black rim ( rim is somewhat faded). The design is executed in both red and black, an unusual feature for one of these little baskets. 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 rare miniature example from this important tribal group.
5 1/4"d. by 1 1/2"deep. Circa 1920. $395.00