Basket c. 20th century

This basket was woven by an artist of the Tohono O’odham, or Papago, people. Though its date is unknown, the basket’s form and decoration offer insights into the cultural and economic context of its creation. The Tohono O’odham are native to the Sonoran Desert, a region spanning parts of Arizona and Mexico. Basketry is a longstanding tradition among them, used for gathering, storage, and cooking. But baskets like this one, with its complex geometric designs, were increasingly made for sale to tourists and collectors from the late 19th century onward. This economic shift had a major impact on the art form. New designs were introduced and older designs took on new meaning as they circulated in the art market. By consulting historical sources like ethnographic studies, museum collections, and trade records, we can trace the evolution of basketry and its role in shaping cultural identity and economic opportunity.