Basket c. 20th century

This basket, by Beta Israel (Falasha), is woven with fibers dyed in red, yellow, and green. Imagine the patient handwork involved here. Each coil carefully stitched, building from the center outwards in a radiant star pattern. I love thinking about the person who made this and the intention that went into it. Was it for a special occasion? A gift? Or simply the joy of creation? The colors are so vibrant, so full of life. You know, even in something as functional as a basket, there's room for artistry, for expression. It makes me think about Anni Albers and her weaving experiments at the Bauhaus. How she pushed the boundaries of what textiles could be. This basket feels like it’s part of that same conversation, about color, pattern, and texture. It's like a painting with thread. It is a reminder that art can be found in the everyday, in the things we use and the things we make.