Because Native American art is of such great interest to me, it is in my nature to always be watchful, waiting in anticipation for when that something really special presents itself. I have in my collection another truly spectacular burden basket, which was the subject of a prior painting, but when I discovered this basket with the Venetian glass beads, I knew I had found another exceptional piece of history to add to my collection.
Circa 1870, this Apache burden basket is tightly twined using yucca plant, accented with darker alternating checkered and wavy bands woven from “devil’s claw” (durable black fibers of mature seed pods). The fringe is buckskin embellished with early Venetian glass beads. The first European explorers used the beads for trade with the Native Americans. The beads were then used as decoration and also as a sign of status during the 19th century.
To imagine this basket’s origin and its journey as it has travelled to reach my hands is something almost inconceivable to me. The basket is absolutely stunning; combined with its Native American significance, it is a historical object of art that I regard with deep respect. I consider it a privilege to have such an object; therefore, it is my obligation to care for it and keep it for generations to come.
As I painted it, I came to know every detail intimately, as I look and study its details every day for months. It was so much fun to add the colors of the beads, and they really become a focal point of the painting. Capturing this basket through my painting is my way of celebrating this incredible historical object and paying homage to the Native American people and their art.
Original painting available through King Galleries | www.kinggalleries.com | 480.440.3912 (Santa Fe), 480.481.0187 (Scottsdale)
