A hovering ruby throated hummingbird is atop this round coiled sweetgrass basket by Paul St John, Mohawk. - It is 5.5" in diameter and about 2.25" high. The birch bark medallion at lid's center is 3.75" in diameter.

The ruby throated hummingbird is one of Paul's most beloved quill creations. This one is a beauty! While the hummingbird is one of the most favorite of Paul St John's birds of porcupine quill - he has mostly placed them on oval baskets - I recall a few smaller round baskets but I believe this is the first round hummingbird basket of this size.  The hummingbird of natural white with dark green, red and black dyed porcupine quills and is on a round  birch bark medallion at the center of the coiled sweetgrass lid of the basket.

This basket has birch bark at center of lid and used as the bottom - then coiled tidal sweetgrass. There is a border of natural white porcupine quills around the outer edge of the birch bark medallion - between the coiled sweetgrass and the medallion. Last Photo - Paul St John, with friend - Last photo in slideshow is of Paul and a friend.  -  Photo illustrates Paul's real connection with the creatures he depicts in his work  Paul St. John lives in Maine, his mother is Passamaquoddy, MicMac and Maliseet.  He grew up on the Mohawk lands in New York, his father's homeland and is an enrolled Mohawk tribal member.  - When I saw his work I knew immediately I needed to offer his great baskets.  While quill work and coiled sweetgrass baskets are  historically Maine Indian traditional crafts, currently no one in Maine but Paul St. John is actively practicing this craft.  -  Passamaquoddy basketmakers, Jeremy Frey and Otter, both have used some quill work on their baskets...  but quill work on coiled sweetgrass baskets are Paul St John's specialty. 

Paul St John also makes a variety of dolls, birch bark containers-knife sheaths-barrettes, beaded necklaces, earrings and barrettes as well as Iroquois beading on pillows, needle cases, dolls and more.  He makes corn husk masks and baskets and - so much more....
Watch this store for more of his pieces.  Can't wait to see what he is going to create next.