Description: Willow & Devil’s Claw (c.1910) | Dimensions: 16”

This 16”, circa 1910, basket is a very unique figured tray. It shows a negative, five-pointed star at the base and five bighorn sheep detailed with cloven hooves all framed between checkered triangles. Just below its rim five dogs are shown. This enigmatic piece has a Yavapai layout, but is probably Hualapai because bighorn sheep populate the Hualapai, but not the Yavapai homeland. The Panamint Indians to the northwest in Nevada also portrayed the bighorn sheep in their basketry. It is woven with willow and devil’s claw over a three-rod foundation.