How to Care for your Native American Indian Basket

Basketry is a form of textile weaving that has been in existence in North America for at least 10,000 years. Crafted for various utilitarian and cultural uses, basketry is one of the most beautiful art forms of the Native American peoples, and certainly one of the more collectible.

As sewn/woven objects made from natural materials and fibers, Native American basketry requires constant care and attention; weather conditions, insects, rodents & other animals, and even human activity can all pose potential threats to the condition & survival of Native American basketry.

As a general rule of thumb, baskets should be displayed or stored in an area free of circulating air currents, dust, strong humidity, direct sunlight / harsh lighting, and should be placed out of the reach of insects, rodents, pets, and children. Even in the most ideal display or storage conditions, baskets should be periodically checked for signs of fading, deterioration, mildew, insect/rodent damage, etc. The timely discovery of a worsening condition can help prevent catastrophic loss of both the basket and its value.

Baskets should always be picked up and carried with two hands from the bottom/base, and NEVER by the rim. Most rim damage occurs through the poor handling of a basket by its rim, which places uneven pressure and undue stress/weight on the warp and weft elements.

When handling basketry, do so with clean, dry hands, as oils and amino acids can negatively affect a basket's fibers, creating discolorations or staining.

If fumigants (moth balls, etc.) are to be used for whatever reason, avoid placing/applying them directly onto the basket, but rather in a box or in an area near but not directly touching the basket.

HOW TO DISPLAY INDIAN BASKETS:

While Indian Baskets may be displayed in a variety of ways, they are usually displayed in the manner that their form or condition allows for most naturally. Here are some recommendations when considering the different ways to display your baskets:

HANGING FROM A WALL/BEAM:
When hung from a wall / beam (in the case of basket trays, for example), you may "string" the basket in weaving a monofilament thread from the back side of the basket up through to the front side (between warp/weft elements) and around one/many warp elements (not through - no piercing of the warp!) back to the back side of the basket. Tie a knot at the back to create a loop from which to hang the basket from a nail.
Often, if the spacing of warp/weft is sufficient, you can simply thread a button and pass that thread through the center of the basket's front side to the back side, leaving the button on the front side as a supporting end, and the thread at the back which can then act as a hanging loop.

AVOID nailing your baskets to the wall directly, as this can damage the weaving structure (warp/weft) and makes it extremely difficult check on its condition or to relocate the basket at a later date!

DISPLAYING IN A WALL SHOWCASE:
When on display in a wall showcase, baskets are relatively secure and are less at risk for falling off shelving, being knocked over by pets, being eaten by rodents/insects, etc. Some factors to verify, however, include the temperature within the wall showcase (is there a hot light in the case that dries out the air too much and heats up/dries out the basket, making it brittle?), and the amount of light the basket is subject to (is the light significantly fading the basket?).

There are various kinds of basket stands (plastic, wooden, metal) that one can use to position the basket as desired. Sometimes, the best positioning of the basket depends on the decorative patternings; other times, however, you may want to present your basket with its best side forward, to "hide" or minimize any damage or discoloration that it might have. Many baskets are more aesthetically pleasing when raised above eye level, others were made to look down into, and some are best enjoyed straight-on from the side.

DISPLAYING ON FURNITURE / WALL ALCOVES:
When displaying basketry on furniture or in wall alcoves the general considerations mentioned above should be respected.


CLEANING AND RESTORATION OF YOUR INDIAN BASKETS
Proper cleaning and restoration of Indian Basketry requires intimate knowledge of the woven materials, dyes and native weaving technologies. We at Len Wood's INDIAN TERRITORY Gallery are happy to assist you with any cleaning or restoration needs, as we provide professional cleaning and restorative services for Indian basketry. For further advice, or to obtain a free estimate of a cleaning / restoration job, please contact us with:
- clear photographs of your basket
- a brief description of the extent of the damage (dimensions of area(s) needing repair, known causes of damage)
- the basket's full dimensions
- your contact information
Our gallery's information can be found on our "About Me" Page.