The distinctive sculptural form of this large fibre basket - woven with the same double-layer igihisi structure used to create Tutsi wall screens - is an expression of the Tutsi aesthetic. There is a beautiful sense of movement to the two-toned appearance of the basket, in which the darker and lighter fibre strands have been woven in opposite directions, creating an interlocking configuration of triangular patterns. The woven dark-coloured strands (some now faded) provide a striking contrast against the natural pale gold colour of the grass fibre. The inclusion of a woven circular ring base bears testament to the basket’s status as a prestige item, where it would have been traditionally displayed in a Tutsi household as a symbol of wealth.
Estimated Period: Mid 20th Century (Or Before)
Ex Private Collection, UK
BNB.HEO
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