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Apache Basket

Figure 86 Storage basket, ca. 1890;
artist: Unknown Apache;
Willow shoots, devil’s claw, and yucca root, 20 1/2 × 16 1/4 in. (52.1 × 41.3 cm);
The Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, New York), The Charles and Valerie Diker Collection of Native American Art, Gift of Charles and Valerie Diker, 2019, 2019.456.2 © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. All Rights Reserved.

Object/Work🔺

  • Catalog Level:🔺 item (value type: controlled list)
  • Type:🔺 basket (value type: authority)

Classification🔺

  • Terms:🔺
    decorative arts
    Native American art (value type: controlled list)

Titles or Names🔺

  • Text: Storage Basket (value type: free text)
    Preference: preferred (value type: controlled list)
    Type: repository

Creation🔺

  • Creator Description:🔺 unknown Apache (value type: free text)

  • Identity:🔺 unknown Apache (_value type: authority)
    Role:🔺 basket maker

  • Creation Date:🔺 ca. 1890(value type: free text)
    Earliest:🔺 1880 Latest:🔺 1900 (value type: controlled format)

  • Creation Place/Original Location: Possibly Arizona (Nited States); possibly New Mexico (United States) (value type: free text and/or controlled format)

Style/Period/Group/Movement

  • Indexing Term: Western Apache

Measurements🔺

  • Dimensions Description:🔺 52.1 x 41.3 cm (20 1/2 x 16 1/4 in.) (value type: free text)

  • Value: 52.1 Unit: cm Type: height
    Value: 41.3 Unit: cm Type: width (value type: controlled format and controlled lists)

Materials and Techniques🔺

  • Description:🔺 willow shoots, devil’s claw, and yucca root (value type: free text)

  • Material Name:
    willow shoots
    devil’s claw
    yucca root
    Technique Name: weaving (value type: authority)

Subject Matter🔺

  • Indexing Terms:🔺
    object (utilitarian)
    storage
    geometric shape
    animals
    human figures (Arthurian legend)
    tourism (value type: authority)

Descriptive Note

  • Text: This Western Apache storage basket was woven from natural materials including willow shoots, devil’s claw, and yucca root. While its design reflects the large storage baskets and/or shallow basket bowls traditionally produced by Apache women for domestic use, this basket was produced after railroad construction increased tourism in the Southwest and, therefore, was likely intended to be sold in the tourist market. Satisfying tourist interest in representational imagery, the basket is adorned with horizontal bands of geometric motifs flanked by asymmetrically organized animal and human figures. (value type: free text)

  • Citation: The Met Collection online (value type: authority)
    Page: accessed 31 July 2024 (value type: free text)

Current Location🔺

  • Repository Name/Geographic Location:🔺 The Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, New York, United States) (value type: authority)
    Repository Numbers:🔺 2019.456.2 (value type: free text)

NOTE: 🔺 indicates a core CDWA category.

Revised 31 July 2024
by Emily Benoff

Figure 86 Storage basket, ca. 1890;
artist: Unknown Apache;
Willow shoots, devil’s claw, and yucca root, 20 1/2 × 16 1/4 in. (52.1 × 41.3 cm);
The Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, New York), The Charles and Valerie Diker Collection of Native American Art, Gift of Charles and Valerie Diker, 2019, 2019.456.2 © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. All Rights Reserved.