This heirloom piece is woven in the distinct sweetgrass weaving style of the Gullah community in South Carolina which is rooted in West African craft tradition. This basket weaving tradition dates back to the 1700s and is considered to be the oldest African craft tradition in the United States, but it remains largely invisible within the national craft landscape.
History of the Gullah Weavers:
Over the last 10 generations, the Gullah weavers have carried on the craft traditions that were native to their African homelands to create baskets featuring exquisite patterns and intricate weaves, preserving traditional styles such as those once used to winnow rice. They use a combination of locally harvested sweetgrass, pine needles, bulrush, and palmetto to weave their unique pieces. Each weaver prides themselves on being intuitive weavers, each having their own unique and signature weaving styles, meaning no two baskets are ever alike. Their craft tradition is embedded into the cultural and physical landscape of this community which continues to reside in the Lowcountry of South Carolina and the nearby barrier islands.
Handcrafted in the sweetgrass basket weaving tradition of the Gullah community in South Carolina, this hand-woven basket, is made from locally harvested materials.
Item Details:
Hand-woven using sweetgrass, palmetto, and pine needles.
Handmade by a Gullah Weaver in 2021.
Care Instructions:
Preserve your basket for generations to come by using soft, damp cloth to remove dust and debris. It is recommended to use a liner for the baskets when placing objects inside, such as a linen, napkin, or light towel. The baskets are strong and woven tightly with locally dried grass and materials, and are best preserved when kept in dry areas to prevent damage. It is not recommended to wash your basket or leave in areas where it can easily get wet.
Leaving the basket in the sun may cause them to change color over time, often darkening in color, but we believe this only adds to the beauty of the basket over time!
Please allow up to 7 business days from the date your order was placed to complete finishing touches and prepare the item for its new home. I only ship to individuals within the continental United States at this time. If you live in the area and would like to schedule a pick up rather than shipping, please let me know and we can arrange this.
Returns / Exchanges:
Thank you so much for supporting my small business! Due to the one-of-a-kind nature of the products in my shop, many of which are heirloom pieces, all sales are final. Please carefully read the item description, and carefully review all item images. I am more than happy to answer any questions you may have before purchase. If for any reason you feel that your basket arrived damaged or defective, please send me a message within 7 days of receiving your item and I’ll gladly discuss options to address these concerns. I hope this product brings you as much joy as I had making it!
