Hand Woven Lidded Coiled Basket Appraisal

Hand-Woven Lidded Coiled Basket

This item is a small, dome-shaped woven basket with a separate, slightly recessed lid. The basket is constructed using a traditional coiling technique, likely utilizing raffia, straw, or similar natural plant fibers. In this specific construction, bundles of fiber are coiled and secured with thinner vertical stitches, creating a textured, grid-like pattern across the globular body. The natural color is a pale, uniform tan or light straw hue. The lid is characterized by a central spiral start that extends outward to the rim, finished with a small, looped fiber handle or pull at the very center for ease of opening. Physically, the basket appears to be roughly 4 to 6 inches in diameter. The craftsmanship is highly consistent, demonstrating skilled hand-weaving with uniform tension throughout the stitches. Regarding condition, the fibers appear dry but structurally sound; there are some minor loose fiber ends or 'flyaways' visible on the lid's pull and along the rim, which is typical for aged natural vegetable fibers. There are no obvious stains, significant breaks in the coils, or heavy bleaching from sun exposure. This style of utilitarian yet decorative basketry is common in many global folk traditions, particularly those from African or Indigenous American cultures, and likely dates from the mid-to-late 20th century.