Basketry Bottleneck Jar

Bottleneck baskets were made by several tribes inhabiting the central valley of southern California. These highly valued objects were exchanged as gifts, used to hold personal treasures and presented as payment to healers. Here, the highly compressed diamond-banded rattlesnake design accentuates the curvature of the vessel. Similarly, the zigzag band encircling the flattened shoulder and vertical "ant trails" at the neck accentuate additional elements of the basket's form. The addition of quail feathers and wool emphasizes the basket's angularity while adding additional components of texture and color.