Old West & Native American Auction
Lot 1108:
Description
Navajo wedding basket from the 1940s features a standardized and symbolic polychrome design described as a life chart mapping the Navajo world view. The center of this basket has an opening called representing “Sipapu”, the place of emergence in the Navajo cosmology, where people emerged from the prior world- through a reed. The center has a typical star pattern of white coils symbolizing birth, surrounded by black stepped patterns representing mountains clouds or the underworld-with four or six points to denote the sacred Navajo mountains. The red band (likely made with cochineal dye) is more visible on the outer portion of the bowl but also present on the inner portion represents the sun’s rays or marriage signifying mixing of blood in matrimony. The weaving of this basket is very tight and the basket is firm. There is evidence in the weaving of the blue cornmeal mush that was used in the wedding ceremony eaten by the couple and wedding guests symbolizing unity and sustenance. The edge is finished in a finely woven herring bone pattern. There is a string emerging from the back so that the basket can be hung on a wall. 14 “ diameter, 3” depth.
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