Native American Basketry at the Autry

A  spontaneous visit to the Autry to see the Art of Native American Basketry exhibition. I love the use of pattern and the positive/negative reversals. They have 100's of baskets representing all regions of N. America from the collection of the Southwestern Museum which used to be in Highland Park. The images are dim because they keep the light level low to protect from fading.

 

 This basket was used during a ceremony to "hold" prayers. It was made by a woman, but once it is put into ritual use it can only be touched by men, a rule that holds true for museum staff as well.

 This is from the Arctic and is made from leather. An interesting solution to the problem of when you really want a basket, but you don't have any plant materials.