Navajo Traditional Pine Pitch Indian Basket

Artist: Navajo basket maker Jeanne Begay

Medium:  Sumac and yucca coated with pine pitch

Size: 5" H x 4 1/2" Across

These baskets are old style traditional "utilitarian" basket made for holding water.

They are rarely made nowadays!  Great for collectors!

Navajo pine pitch baskets (tóshjeeh) are primarily woven from sumac which is used for both the rod foundation and the weaving strips. These sturdy, coiled vessels are subsequently coated inside and out with melted pinion pine pitch—a resinous sap—to make them durable and watertight for carrying water.