The Art of Native American Washoe Basketry

by Wolfe, Ann M.; Nevers, JoAnn; Fowler, Catherine S.; Garey-Sage, Darla; Cohodas, Marvin

• ISBN13: 9780847843671
• ISBN10: 084784367X
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2025-02-25
• Publisher: Rizzoli Electa

Summary

This large-scale book presents breathtaking Native American basketry made by the Washoe people who have lived in the Lake Tahoe region of California and Nevada for millennia.

This book explores fine art and functional basketry made by Washoe weavers, who are recognized for their intricate and meticulous weaving techniques and complex designs. Drawing inspiration and natural materials from their ancestral homelands, Washoe baskets reflect the deep cultural reverence of their makers for the environment, particularly the sacred site of Lake Tahoe, the surrounding Sierra Nevada, and adjacent valleys. Among Washoe weavers, Louisa Keyser, also known as Datsolalee, is widely regarded as one of the most innovative, important, and famous basketmakers in North America. The book provides a deeper understanding of the cultural, historical, and political contexts in which these remarkable baskets were created, making it an essential read for anyone interested in Indigenous art and culture.

Author Biography

Ann M. Wolfe is chief curator and associate director at the Nevada Museum of Art. JoAnn Nevers (1936–2020) was a writer, historian, and Elder of the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California. Catherine S. Fowler is an anthropologist focused on Great Basin and North American indigenous cultures, languages, and art. Darla Garey-Sage is a scholar focused on Great Basin ethnography, Washoe traditional knowledge, rock art, and ethnobotany. Marvin Cohodas is professor emeritus of art history and fine arts at the University of British Columbia.

Printed with permission from the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California.