- Basket
A basket is a container which is traditionally constructed from stiff fibres, often made of
willow . [http://www.bluestem.ca/willows-basketry.htm] . The top is either left open or the basket may be fitted with a lid.Historical usage
Wood ,bamboo ,wheat , other grasses, rushes,twig s,osier s, orwicker are often used to make baskets. These items can also made today fromplastic . The first baskets were woven by gatherers to collectfruit s, grains, nuts, and other edible plant materials, as well as for holdingfish by earlyfishing humans. A creel is a basket made especially to hold fish.llThe plant life available in a region affects the choice of material, which in turn influences the weaving technique.
Rattan and other members of theArecaceae orpalm tree family, the thin grasses of temperate regions, and broad-leaved tropicalbromeliad s each require a different method of twisting and braiding to be made into an effective basket.Although baskets were traditionally created to serve a utilitarian rather than an aesthetic purpose, the practice of basket making has evolved into an
art . Artistic freedom allows basket makers a wide choice of colors,material s, sizes, patterns, and details.Archaeological sites in the Middle East show that weaving techniques were used to make mats and possibly also baskets, circa 8 000 BC. Baskets made with several interwoven techniques were common at 3 000 BC.The carrying of a basket on the head, particularly by rural women, has long been practiced. Representations of this in
Ancient Greek art are calledCanephorae .Overturned woven baskets are used drummed by the
Tohono O'odham to accompanysong s (Zepeda 1995, p.89).Modern usage
In modern usage, baskets are chosen chiefly for decorative purposes.
Easter baskets are used to collect or hold treats for Easter. These baskets are normally made of plastic (not woven) and have a weave-like pattern imprinted.Gift baskets are used to present items such as
fruit ,wine , andflower s. Some baskets are used to cradle bottles of red wine to assist pouring.Baskets made out of crystal
glass are manufactured both for decorative and utility purposes.Hot air balloon s are equipped with baskets for carrying the operator and passengers.As a demonstration of
contortionism , a basket containing a human may be repeatedly pierced withsword s. The human survives through skill in avoiding the swords.Figurative and literary usage
The phrase "
to hell in a handbasket " means "to rapidly deteriorate". The origin of this use is unclear.Gallery of baskets
A_wicker_balloon_basket_holding_16_passengersImage:Korb1.jpg|Basket_stall,_Frankfurt,_GermanyImage:Basket_493_(PSF).png|Deep_long-handled_carrying_basketImage:Hubbell_baskets.jpeg|Old_American_Indian_baskets,_ee also
*
Basket weaving
*Canephorae
*Weaving External links
* [http://www.bcgov.net/bftlib/sweetgra.htm Sweetgrass Baskets (African-American, South Carolina) -- Beaufort County Library]
ource
*Zepeda, Ofelia (1995). "Ocean Power: Poems from the Desert". ISBN 0816515417.
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