Vintage Lace Basket Artisan Made in Columbia

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This is a good example of a type of basket that is "claimed" by some specific cultures, but whose roots … Read more This is a good example of a type of basket that is "claimed" by some specific cultures, but whose roots can be traced back to several countries and time periods. It might be best described as an American folk art, with a diverse background, which has now spread worldwide. The basic style, with circular designs fashioned over wire forms is called "Teneriffe," and is named after Tenerife in the Canary Islands off the coast of Spain. (Teneriffe is the old spelling of the island's name.) The circular "wheel" patterns had originated with lace makers in Spain in the 16th century, and spread to the Canary Islands. From there, it went via missionaries, merchants, traders, and sailors to South America, and then to the islands of Micronesia, where it was adapted to their local basketry made from palm fiber and pandanus. (Baskets apparently being more useful than lace, and palm fiber more readily available than cotton thread in the islands!) In the 19th century in the U.S., Seminole Indians were making baskets bound with palm fiber over wire. Despite the widespread claims on line, however, there is no documented evidence of any other Native American tribe traditionally making baskets from pine needles. Where this all starts to come together is shortly after the Civil War, when southern "gentle women" popularized the new fad of making baskets, trays, purses, hats, and other crafts from local fibers. Raffia from Madagascar had recently become available in the U.S., and soon replaced the use of thread to join the coils, making it possible to create new types of stitches and decorative techniques. less See less