Authentic African Food Basket, Rwanda

Authentic African Food Basket, Rwanda Used to transport food this early 20th Century basket is a beautiful work of art just waiting for the right person to appreciate it. They show just the right amount of age and patina and make a beautiful accent to your home decor. Please look carefully at photos to see white coloration in bottom of basket along with breakage in the bottom center. By monitoring humidity you can slow further deterioration. • Please view all photos for condition, as our opinion may differ from yours. • Please see our shop policies on returns, exchanges & shipping. • Please pay close attention to item descriptions  and if you have questions about a selection, PLEASE message us & we will be glad to help!  Please visit our online shop www.luxecurations.com for more exciting new, vintage and antique decor and accessories! * Discounts may not apply **available for pick up in our UES store, call 646.946.9404 for delivery information. If you order online an additional delivery charge will apply, someone will contact you the next business day to review delivery options and lead time based on item size, weight and delivery location. MATERIAL: Woven Straw made from Indigenous Fibers, like Bamboo, Palm and Sisal, Natural Dyes *Being handcrafted as with all artisan produced items, they will have distinct variations of shape and color. This is an inherent characteristic and it's uniqueness is desirable, not a defect. ORIGIN: Rwanda, Central Africa DIMENSIONS: 12" H  x 15" DIA  CARE & MAINTENANCE: We recommend dry brush or gently vacuum regularly, wipe clean with damp cloth as needed. Keep away from direct heat source and out of direct sunlight as it could deteriorate structure and fade natural dyes over time. FACTS & HISTORY: Traditional fibers used in basketry reflect the local habitat. They include illala palm, sisal leaves and fiber, raffia (African bamboo), fibrous tree and plant roots such as makenge, vines, leaves (banana and fan palm), cane, bark wood and papyrus.               Two types of vegetative fiber are normally used to make a coiled basket, one for the inner coil and one for the wrapping of the coils. For example, in Uganda and Rwanda, baskets are woven from raffia or papyrus wrapped and stitched around a coil of banana leaf stems. Grass is often used for the core of the coils. Historically, baskets have been used for agricultural practices such as winnowing and sifting and the collecting and carrying of crops as well as portage of produce to markets.  Not only does it continue to play an integral part in modern community life but it has evolved to a highly expressive contemporary art form.  African basketry is a dynamic craft, altered by social changes and shaped by both environmental and economic factors. Traditionally, shapes and weaves were determined largely by the uses for what the baskets were intended. Nowadays, while the methods of basket making are still held in regard, the materials have significantly changed from natural fibers to include man-made creations like plastic, wire and recycled products.