Minneapolis Institute of Art

Basket

Akimel O'odham (Pima) artist

Date

20th century

Medium

Natural plant fibers

Culture

probably Akimel O'odham (Pima)

Department

Arts of the Americas

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Willow, cottontail, and black martynia, or devils claw, are the main materials used to sew baskets of the Akimel O’othom and Tohono O’odham. The availability of these plant fibers in the environment aide in identifying differences between the two tribe’s baskets. The Akimel O’othom who live along the river and few streams have easy access to willow and cottontail, which is reflected in their design being predominantly shown as a black pattern on a white background. The Tohono O’odham, who live in the desert where black martynia is more abundant, predominantly use a black background with white designs. probably Akimel O'odham (Pima), United States, Americas

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