Eskimo Art Appraisal

Yupik Eskimo Coiled Sea Grass Basket with Lid

This is a significant contemporary Yupik Eskimo coiled basket, dating to circa 1994, crafted using harvested beach grass (Elymus mollis) from the Alaskan region. The basket features an elegant globular or ovoid shape that tapers to a small, flat base and is topped with a matching fitted lid featuring a functional knob finial. The coil work is exceptionally tight and even, demonstrating high-quality craftsmanship typical of skilled indigenous weavers. The natural pale straw-colored grass provides a neutral background for several intricate figurative motifs woven into the structure. Visible designs include a dark purple or maroon musk ox, a reddish-orange fox, and a red insect-like or crustacean figure, accompanied by geometric stepped patterns in blue and red. The use of dyed decorative elements against the natural grass is characteristic of the period and region. The basket appears to be in excellent structural condition with no visible breakage to the grass fibers or significant fading of the dyed motifs. The consistent tension and symmetrical form indicate the work of an experienced artisan. This piece represents a blend of traditional Yupik utility and aesthetic artistry, intended both as a functional vessel and a piece of cultural fine art.