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Top > Swazi Sisal Baskets
10178 - Sisal Bowl, 7-8 inch
10178 - Sisal Bowl, 7-8 inch
Approx 7-8 inches Across X 1.5-2.5 inches Deep
This highly collectible basket was handmade in Swaziland from Sisal fibers gathered from the sisal plant (a weed). The sisal plant is in the Agave family and it's fibers are so known for strength that modern industry is increasingly using them as environmentally friendly strengthening agents to replace harmful substances such as asbestos and fiberglass in production of things like automotive brake pads.

Each fiber harvested, dried, hand dyed, dried again, then rolled against the weaver's leg until the perfect weaving strand is drawn out. An average of 30-40 hours per basket makes these one of the most labor intensive of all African baskets for their size.

As a bowl gets larger, it takes more and more time to weave because the coils on each row become much longer as the bowl flares upwards and outwards. So adding 1 row at the top of the basket, could be equivalent to weaving 5 rows or more in the base of the basket. This is the reason the larger baskets are more unusual and take so much more time to create, which affects the pricing accordingly.

They are traditionally given as gifts and symbolize long and happy life.

You will receive the exact beautiful basket pictured above.
$36.00      In Stock (1)   



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