19th C. Large Sierra Miwok Cooking Basket

 A large, finely woven 19th C Sierra Miwok cooking basket with an unusual design of concentric rectangles in a diagonal pattern and horizontal bands of triangles.  The basket has a three rod foundation with the rectangles woven with bracken fern root and the triangles with redbud.  The basket was used as evidenced by the darkening at and around the base as well as the color on the redbud in the interior of the basket being largely worn off.  There are no breaks in the basket or rim but there are 10 stitches missing around the rim.  This is a great basket for a collector who appreciates 19th C baskets which were made for the weaver's own use rather than made for the collector's market.  It is a beautiful basket.

D. 15½";  H. 8⅝"