Miniature Basket c. 20th century

This miniature basket was crafted by the Tohono O'odham, or Papago, people. Its simple form is enlivened by the dark animal figures encircling its exterior. Notice how these abstracted animals parade around the basket. They may recall the ancestral connection to animals—perhaps dogs, or coyotes. The presence of animals in cultural artifacts is a potent symbol across time and space; in ancient Egypt, animals were divine figures, totems of power, and protection. These animals connect us to primal forces. They may reflect a deep, collective memory of humanity's relationship with the natural world, imbuing this simple basket with layers of cultural and psychological meaning. The animals convey a sense of movement. Such symbols are not static; they evolve. Like the ouroboros serpent that devours its tail—an ancient symbol of cyclicality—the animal motifs on this basket speak to the recurring nature of human experience and our constant reinvention of ancient archetypes.