Jean McClelland: Collecting antique Native American baskets a challenge

Many folks are fascinated with Native American basketry and with good reason. Centuries of heritage, designs and techniques are wrapped up in newly-fashioned baskets and those from yesteryear. Whether one collects basketry made by one of today's purist artisans or a craftsman from the past, the diversity is extensive.

Collecting antique Indian baskets is a challenge in that most have not survived the test of time. Much of what is collectible is a product of the 20th century. There are some baskets available from the 19th century. However, the number is limited and expensive.

When collecting Indian basketry, a collector should follow certain guidelines. The first bit of information that is required is provenance. A buyer should always find out as much about a basket as possible and keep a record of it in their files. As with all antiques and collectibles, consider condition, workmanship and rarity of the item. With basketry, it is also important to review workmanship, materials used and intended purpose of the vessel.

As a collector becomes more knowledgeable about basketry, he or she will be able to tell something about the age and what tribe made the product. Different tribes used different materials. For instance, the Cherokee were noted for using bundled pine needles and river cane wicker. Whether a basket is woven, twined or coiled will tell a tale of the maker. Also significant in the basket's story will be the embedded designs and colors.

It should be noted that as European Americans started to push Native Americans onto reservations, many of the Indian cultures blended.

While the cultures blended so did the designs for some of the basketry. Even so, there are many fine examples of basketry from particular Native American tribes for the purists both in the older and newer versions.

Historically, basketry was ceremonial and functional for Native Americans. Today basketry from the Indian community has evolved into an artistic exercise as opposed to the needed vessel made by ancestors.

Still a newly-made basket can be produced using historically-correct traditions, materials and designs. Some would consider buying a new basket the best of the old and new worlds.

These renditions are often sold quite reasonably through tribally-recognized Native American Web sites. To access these sites one might start with the Index of Native American Organizations on the Internet. The list is thorough and extensive.

Jean McClelland writes about antiques for The Herald-Dispatch.