5231-133 Paiute Pitch Water Basket
ca. 1880
Size 8.25" H x 8.5" W x 1.625" L
Hand Woven with Thick Layer of Pitch and two Braided Handles with Attached Leather Strap
Excellent Condition for Age
The Paiute pitch water basket, also known as a kadu o’sa in Paiute language, is a remarkable example of traditional Native American craftsmanship from the Great Basin region of the western United States, primarily associated with the Northern and Southern Paiute peoples. These baskets were essential tools for survival in the arid deserts of Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and surrounding areas, where water is scarce. Crafted from plant fibers and sealed with natural pitch (tree resin), they served as portable water containers, functioning like canteens or storage vessels long before modern alternatives.
Provenance: From the Len and Toni Wood Private Collection, Laguna Beach, California