Yavapai Large Bowl Basket By Josephine Harrison

ca. 1940

3.125″ H x 15.75″ D

Hand Woven with a Golden Tan Background and Dark Brown Bugs Motif and Geometric Pattern with Dark Brown Rim

Excellent Condition

Josephine Harrison (likely the intended spelling for “Josephene“) was a prominent Yavapai basket weaver active in the mid-20th century, particularly around 19401950. She is recognized for her detailed, symmetrical designs that blend traditional motifs with artistic flair, often incorporating insects, geometrics, and natural elements. Her work exemplifies the Yavapai style’s precision, distinguishing it from the more varied Western Apache patterns. Harrison’s baskets are collected by institutions and private dealers, valued for their historical and cultural significance.

Yavapai baskets are a significant part of Native American Southwestern art, traditionally woven by the Yavapai people (a subgroup of the Apache tribes) using natural materials like willow for the foundation and devil’s claw for black accents. These coiled baskets, often on a three-rod base, feature intricate geometric, pictorial, or negative designs symbolizing animals, stars, crosses, or celestial motifs. Bowls and trays were used for storage, cooking, and ceremonies, with large examples (1018 inches in diameter) being prized for their symmetry and durability. Yavapai weaving peaked in the late 19th to mid-20th centuries, influenced by shared traditions with Western Apache weavers.

Provenance: From the Len and Toni Wood Private Collection, Laguna Beach, California