A Tohono O’odham hoh or basket is made from a coil of bear grass (Nolina microcarpa, called moho in their language) sewn with bleached white yucca (Yucca elata - tokway). Other materials used include green or yellow-green unbleached yucca, black from the seed pod of the devilsclaw plant (Proboscidea parviflora - eehuk) and on occasion, red from the root of the Spanish or Shin Dagger (Yucca arizonica, oh’eetock).
On the left is an fret pattern basket by Francis Stevens. 7 inches and $150. The second basket is also by Francis. 7.25 inches and $150. Next is a fret pattern also by her sister Delores Stevens. 6.5 inches and $110. Last is an older handled basket that is 7.25 inches in diameter and 6 inches high. $52. (ALL IN TUCSON)
On the left is an open stitch basket by Doris Jose with coyote tracks on the edges. 7.5 inches and $95. This split stitch basket is also by Doris Jose. 8.5 inches and $120. An older flat hanging plaque. 6.75 inches (without handle) and $55. Master weaver Delores Stevens brought in this wonderful hummingbird basket. 8 inches and $300. (ALL IN TUCSON)
A very nice older (ca 1940) basket with a laced rim that you would sometimes see as early as the 1920s. 9.5 inches in diameter and 5 inches high. $350. The duck with a hat (removable) was made by Fred and Della Cruz. 8 inches long and 6 inches tall. $75. A turtle basket is also from Fred and Della. 7 inches and SOLD. This last basket is by Francis Stevens and is a pattern known as “dragging coyote tracks”. 8 inches and $150.(TUCSON)
A large older basket 12.25 inches in diameter and 7 inches deep. $400 (TUCSON)
Another vintage TO basket, 8 by 12 inches. I’ve included a photo of the bottom to show that it is in excellent condition apart from a single missing stitch.
A fantastic basket by master weaver Marian Cruz. It features 15 lizards and 5 spiders. 13.5 inches and $875. (TUCSON)
A fun deer and coyote track basket from Della Cruz. 8.25 inches and $110. (Tucson)
A Pima or Akimel O’odham (literally River People) basket unusual for its negative pattern. 6 by 3.5 inches. $400.
This wonderful, large vintage basket measures 13.5”w X 9.5”h. $300 (TUCSON)
A great turtle basket by Delores Stevens. 7 inches and $250. (TUCSON)
As you can see, the bottom is in very fine condition with only two missing stitches and no real wear to. the bottom coil
A small nicely woven bee basket by Francis Stevens. 3.25 inches and $75. This open stitch basket was woven by Nathan Jones. 8.75 inches and $48. Next is a six petal squash design from the 1950s-1960s. 9.5 inches and $150. Last is a small open stitch basket by Lilian Flores. 6.25 inches and $36. (All in Tucson).
A finely woven maze basket by Doris José. 6 5/8 by .75 inches. $300. This unusual basket was woven by Francis Stevens. 7.75 inches and $150. This finely woven small bird basket was woven over 50 years ago. 5.5 inches and $110. This large basket was woven 50 to 60 years ago. 10 inches tall and 16 inches in diameter. $450. (ALL IN TUCSON)
The maze pattern design is generally believed to represent the path that I’itoi - Elder Brother - took to his home near the base of Baboquivari Peak in order to evade anyone who might follow him. Relatives of the Tohono O’odham, the Pima or Akimel O’odham (River People), are recorded as having said that it was the floor plan of a home built by Se-eh-ha to confound his enemies. More recently the story has evolved into the maze as symbolizing the path of life. There is some disagreement as to whether the figure is entering or leaving the maze. The version that has the figure entering, holds that the small ‘nook’ near the center is where one sits and reflects upon one’s life before completing the journey. Regardless of the version, the design lends itself nicely to the path-of-life interpretation as while it has no shortcuts, there are no dead-ends either, and the entire path must be followed in order to complete the journey.
A Turtle basket by Avery Pablo. 8 inches and $150. Next is a great older (19050s-1960s) five petal squash basket that has both devils claw and the red yucca root. 11.25 inches and SOLD. A nice blossom pattern basket that is 8.5 inches across and $85. A lidded saguaro basket by Doris Jose. 7 inches tall and 7 inches in diameter. $250. (ALL IN TUCSON)
A really wonderful hat made by an unidentified weaver years ago. The “hat band” is woven of the red yucca root. 13.5 inches wide and 5 inches high. $165. This swirl pattern basket is by Doris Jose. 10 inches and $300. Last is basket by Francis Stevens depicting flying birds. 7.5 inches and $125. (TUCSON)
