Vintage Traditional African Zulu Basket

Large Ukhamba - Double Diamond Design 

Precision Weaving - Beautiful Color Palette

Authentic  Handwoven - South African Art

Warm earth tone colors plus an exuberant splash of color - this eye-catching Zulu basket is sure to grab your attention.  

TRIBAL INTERIOR DESIGN

Baskets are key to this look. There are no limits to their use; bedsides, coffee tables, fruit bowls, wall hangings, or even bed ends.   Baskets are also perfect for hiding any mess!

Perfect decorative accent for African, Primative, Tribal Decor, Safari chic, Boho, or Southwestern design aesthetic.

A great addition to any tribal basket collection!

BASKET DESCRIPTION/DETAILS

CONDITION: 

Vintage Pre-owned item

Excellent "Like-New" Condition

Solid, Firm and Tightly woven. Symmetrical

Neat precision weaving by a skilled weaver.

Beautiful color palette.

An amazing and very well-made basket.

Used for display only.

NOTE - Exterior pink color shows evidence of minor sun fading, when compared to interior pink color.

DESIGN PATTERN:

Double Diamond Design - Married Woman

COLORS -

PRIMARY COLORS -

Salmon Pink, Rich Caramel Brown

ACCENT COLORS -

Black, Creme/Beige, Mud Brown

MEASUREMENTS  (approximate):

14.0" H

12.0" Width, Diameter (at the widest point)

5.0" Opening diameter

BASKET Wt:  1 lb. 15 7/8 oz.

Reference Measurement:

Display Cube 7" x 7" x 7"

BACKGROUND...

TRADITIONAL ZULU BASKETS -

The Zulus are the largest tribe in Southern Africa, renowned for their artistry and craftsmanship.

The women work in their homes, where they can assimilate basket-making into their normal routine giving themselves time to raise their children, work in the fields, collect water and other daily chores.

Every basket is made by hand, using indigenous raw materials and the type of basket varies from area to area, depending on the availability of raw materials, and the use to which the basket is to be put.

It can take up to one month to produce a medium-sized basket that will be unique in size, shape, pattern, weave and color.

BASKET TYPES -

▪Large, watertight baskets with lids that fit

  snugly inside the opening at the top are

  called Ukhambas. 

▪Isichumo baskets have a lid that fits over

  and around the opening.

▪Isiquabetho - A large basin-shaped basket

  used for gathering and carrying grain. The

  smaller bowls are used for serving dry

  foods such as beans, fruits or nuts.

▪Smaller Iquthu lidded baskets, or “herb

  baskets”, often have a looser weave, and

  are traditionally used to store medicinal

  remedies.

▪These baskets are often very decorative

  and colorful, especially those made for

  ceremonial use.

MATERIALS COMMONLY USED IN ZULU BASKET WEAVING -

ILALA PALM  - Most desirable. Grows along the North Eastern Coast of KwaZulu-Natal. Once cut and dried, the leaf is then prepared for weaving into fine, often water-tight baskets. Natural shade: Cream

NCEBE  - Bark of wild Banana. These baskets are not water-tight, they're used for dry storage. Dyed Ilala interweaved to impart color and design. Natural shade: light brown

SOME COMMON COLORS USED IN ZULU BASKET WEAVING

All colors are natural (except black, which uses battery acid!), and obtained from boiling roots, leaves, berries, and bark of indigenous flora. Many are seasonal. The dye materials are finely chopped, water is added, and the grasses to be dyed are boiled in this mixture.

BASIC DESIGNS PATTERNS & SYMBOLS

▪TRIANGLE  - Masculine

▪DOUBLE TRIANGLE  forming hour glass

shape - Married man.

▪DIAMOND  - Feminine

▪DOUBLE DIAMOND   - Married woman

▪ZIG-ZAG pattern - Masculine

 "The Assegais of Shaka"

▪SERIES of DIAMONDS  - Feminine

 "The Shields of Shaka"

▪SMALL SQUARES or DOTS- a celebration of

  fruitfulness (i.e. good rains, good crops,

  many cattle, a new child.)

▪MARRIAGE" DESIGN - A special basket is

   woven by the Bride, or a member of her

   family, as a gift from her to the Groom,

   which he will use at the Wedding as a

   beer-drinking vessel. The story of the

   marriage is woven for prosperity, and for 

   all to see - the more affluent the family, the

   more detailed the design woven into the

   basket.

Please keep in mind when purchasing handmade  hand-woven items, natural variation in dye color, weave and some asymmetry is to be expected.

Consistent with all VINTAGE items, some wear from age or use is to be expected and should not be regarded as a failure on my part to describe every aspect of wear which may not be mentioned.

I've been collecting African baskets for over 30 years  I'm thinning out my huge collection.  I have many different types, shapes, sizes and colors!

Please feel free to contact me with any questions. No Returns.

Thanks for looki