Mono Pictorial Polychrome Basket with Rattlesnakes, circa 1900

Antique Mono basket, finely woven in a shallow bowl form and decorated with bold polychrome geometric designs. The basket features repeated dark diamond and triangular motifs arranged in horizontal bands against the natural fiber ground.
A distinctive series of zigzag elements encircles the vessel, representing stylized rattlesnakes and adding a strong rhythmic quality to the composition. The dark and reddish-brown dyed fibers provide subtle color contrast while emphasizing the symmetry and repetition of the design.
The tightly coiled construction, balanced proportions, and carefully organized rattlesnake imagery make this an especially attractive example of historic Mono basketry.
The Mono are Indigenous peoples whose traditional homelands encompass portions of the central and southern Sierra Nevada and western Great Basin. Renowned for finely woven basketry, Mono weavers produced both utilitarian and highly decorative forms using locally gathered plant fibers. Historic baskets are distinguished by precise coiling and sophisticated geometric designs, sometimes incorporating animal motifs such as rattlesnakes. Mono basketry reflects both longstanding regional traditions and cultural exchange with neighboring California and Great Basin peoples.

Provenance:
David Cook Galleries, Denver, Colorado
Private Collection, Edwards, Colorado, 2003