Hopi Miniature Coiled Plaque by Ella Tawahongva (Hopi)

A happy turtle is swimming across this lovely miniature coiled basket by Ella Tawahongva.  Made in the traditional colors of white, black and red, it is woven out of yucca leaves coiled around a bundle of grass.

Hopi coiled baskets are woven mainly at Second Mesa.  The women gather wild yucca leaves at different times of the year to get green, yellow or white colors.  For red, the white yucca is dyed with a local plant, either Navajo tea or Hopi tea, and for black, commercial dye is used.  Wild grass, usually galleta grass, is gathered for the bundles that make up the foundation, or inside, of the coils.  After the leaves are split in half lengthwise and cleaned, they are split into narrow splints that are no more than 1/8" wide.  This preparation of materials is the most time consuming, arduous part of making the baskets.

Width 3"