Malian Rattan Hanging Basket

Calmly, a deep woven cone, wide at the rim and narrow at the base.

This hanging basket is from Mali, West Africa, and dates to the 20th century. It is rattan. Hanging baskets of woven fiber were made in many parts of West Africa for storing food and small goods up and away from animals and damp. Displayed plainly, a tall, tapering basket in warm brown, with a flared open rim and finely coiled bands that run around the body. Darker horizontal stripes give it subtle banding. The surface is slightly rough, with small gaps and soft wear. It is 17 inches wide, 17 deep and 18 high.

All taper, no fuss, and not designed to sit still.