Early Hopi Coiled 2nd Mesa Basketry Tray

This is an early Hopi coiled plaque with a strong design in red with black accents of a four lobed flower-like figure. The basket is in excellent condition without the loss of any of the stitches. The undyed yucca coils have darkened over time and the red and black on the front have dulled but the colors on the back are still fresh and vibrant. The basket was collected between December 1905 and October 1906 by Phillip and Nannie Sayles who worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs at Keams Canyon Indian School during that time. It doesn't often happen that a basket will have such a clear indication of where, when and who collected the piece.