J-1-28 Chemehuevi olla.
The Chemehuevi are a small tribe whose traditional territory was the Mohave desert of southern California. They traditionally spoke the Numic branch of the Paiute language, which belongs to the Uto-Aztecan linguistic family. Because of their small population they produced fewer baskets than many other tribes but the quality of their baskets was exceptional, displaying beautifully controlled weaves along with elegant forms and simple yet aesthetically pleasing designs. The Chemehuevi weaver took great care in processing her materials before weaving so the materials themselves tend to be even and fine.
This large polychrome olla (this being the Spanish word for jar and pronounced oh-ya) is a superb example of Chemehuevi basketry. It is both exceptional and unusual for its large size especially from this tribal group whose ollas averaged five to seven inches in diameter. The simple band of red and black diamonds around the middle of this basket is a classic example of the Chemehuevis’ conservative use of design. The collection number on the bottom of this basket,” L-1190/1750", indicates that this basket was originally part of the Francis Xavier Ammann collection amassed primarily in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His collection of exclusively Chemehuevi baskets numbered in excess of two thousand pieces representing the largest grouping of this tribe’s baskets ever assembled. In 1928 the collection went on loan to the Los Angeles County Natural History Museum which inventoried each of the baskets with a “L” (for loan) number. When the collection was withdrawn in 1934 the museum was only able to retain thirty-nine pieces, a gift from the Ammann family. The collection was then broken up and sold. Before the collection was broken up, however, a photo of a large portion of those baskets was taken in which this basket appears (see xerox). It retains its original price tag with the inventory number and its original price at that time of $35.00.
Coiling is to the left using three peeled rods of willow (Salix) for the foundation of the coil. The sewing splints are split peeled willow for the white and split devils claw (Proboscidea) for the black. A beautiful and important Chemehuevi basket from this early collection.
6 1/2"d. by 5 3/4"h. Circa 1900. $8,500.00