Wounaan Baskets
The Wounaan Baskets of Panama
Wounaan Baskets can portrait cultural designs, animals, flowers.
Larger Wounaan basket depicting butterflies
The bottom of a basket always has a beautiful design.
A mask made with the same material as the fine baskets
A plate made with the same material as the fine baskets
The Wounaan Baskets are known to be one of the finest baskets in the world. Each basket is a unique piece of art, none are exactly the same, the colors are very natural and there is a great variety on the designs, some are ancient designs, others are out of the wisdom of the artist. They range in size starting with the plates to tall "vase" baskets, from 3" up to 3 feet.
The Wounaan Natives from the Darien Rainforest, Panama and the Embera Indians are master artisans, they handmade these fine woven baskets (Wounaan), masks and plates made out of the strands of the black palm known as "chunga" plant, the work normally take the artisan months up to years to be completed. The weaving is so thight that the baskets can hold water. The women are well known for their baskets and the men for the Cocobolo wood and Taguas. The artworks of the Wounaan are a true piece of art but the Embera are very talented artisans.
The art of the baskets "hosig di" has been handed down from mothers, grandmothers to the new generation.
Each baskets/plates were hand woven using natural fibers found in the rain forest, a variety of reeds are normally used. The colors are produced with natural-organic extract of plants and earth using the traditional method of dying the basket fibers. After all the fibers are prepared, the weaving process begin. These baskets can portray very ancient designs, insects, animals or life in the village. Some of them lived on small village around Panama City.
An original Wounaan baskets can bring accent to your office, guest room, living room, beach home. Don't miss the opportunity to own one of these beautiful baskets.
working on a beautiful cultural design fine basket
All our baskets are authentic and purchased directly from the artisans. They are Museums-Collectors High Quality. Each artist set their prices according to their work. This is how they sustain their family. I try to purchase some of the baskets to offer to my customers, collectors or general public.
Note: Darien Rainforest Basketry (book) is available in my website for sell, the book explain step by step about how these baskets are made and is illustrated with beautiful pictures, English version.
We have seen the Gunas, the Wounaan, the Emberas, but who were the first inhabitants of Panama?
In the history of Panama, the earliest known inhabitants were the Cueva and Cocle Tribes, but they were drastically reduced by disease and fighting when the Spanish arrived in the 16th Century. Panama was under Spanish rule for almost 300 years (1538-1821).
What is the Panamanian Culture like?
Panama's culture is a blend of American Indian, North American, Spanish influences, French and Afro-Caribbean, which are expressed in its traditional arts and crafts, music, religion, sports and cuisine. Panama is known as a melting pot of culture.
I have a great selection of these baskets from Large to small, some may not be listed yet, if you e-mail I can send you picture of all other baskets.
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Tel. 937-422-5683