Zulu Rattan Basket, South Africa

Softer in color and rounder in shape, this lidded basket wears its zigzags lightly.

This rattan basket is Zulu, from South Africa, and dates to the mid 20th century. Rattan is a climbing palm whose long, flexible stems can be split and bent, which makes it a common basketmaking fiber in many regions. Squat coiled basket with a domed body and a cone-shaped lid with a small knob. Rows of brown and tan zigzags circle the form on a grey-beige ground, and some coils look rubbed and faded. It is 10 inches high and 8.5 in diameter.

Well used, well loved, and still neatly stitched.