Sold For:  or Sign In to see what it's worth.

Offered for auction is this very large, very rare authentic Hupa Group Bowl or Basket Hat, dating from 1900-1910. This piece has been in my family since the early 1900s and was passed down from my great-grandparents. I have scanned a photo of the adventurous original owners, wading in the Rio Grande River in 1904. The youngest baby is my grandfather! This basket is one of a group I will be listing in the next few days, so if you are interested in rare baskets from California, please keep checking! I will combine shipping for multiple purchases.

This basket/bowl measures five inches in height and nearly 8 inches in diameter. Condition is very good, as pictured, with some old wear to the rim. The design is exquisite with variations in color ranging from very light golden blonde to warm honey, deepening to darker shades of coffee color and ebony. While researching this basket I found another that was very similar, which listed the materials. I believe this is made of hazel shoot warps, conifer root wefts, bear grass, maiden hair fern, and woodwardia fern fibers. (I am by no means a basketry expert, but do try to research items carefully, and this appears to be the same type of basket.)

For a good website that tells about the Hupa Group of Indian Tribes and gives some more beautiful examples of their work, you may want to visit the following website: / from which this quote was taken, "According to Silva and Cain (1979), t are few actual Hupa baskets due to their small population, and that most should be classified as Hupa Group, or are Yurok, Karuk, or Tolowa, so it is more appropriate to attribute everyday functional baskets and hats to the 'Hupa Group.' "

Visit the following site for more information on Yurok and Hupa Basketry and Culture: :8001/humanities/indian/basketry/Hupa-Yurok.html

Please view photos carefully and email any questions prior to bidding. This is a true auction with low opening bid and no reserve. This item is available to U.S. buyers only.

Payment: Paypal, Money Order, or Cashier's Check. Please ensure your payment is received within 7 days of auction's end. If paying by mail, please email me within 48 hours of auction's end to let me know.

Shipping: Flat rate $20.00, which includes insurance. This item will be double boxed for secure shipping.

I have been advised that this is most likely a mush bowl and not a basket hat - this makes sense to me, given the overall shape. I am unable to change the title at this point and hope t is no confusion regarding the actual type of basket. If any prior bidders have questions or concerns please email me to let me know. Thanks so much and happy bidding!

In response to a question received regarding if t are any cracks in the body of the basket when held up to the light, I have added three more photos. These were taken today - a beautiful spring day - and show the patina, as well as the interior of this beautiful basket in natural sunlight. Thanks again for the question!

Items in the Worthopedia are obtained exclusively from licensors and partners solely for our members’ research needs.

Flag item for content or copyright.