We like these raffia baskets, made by women artists who are Australian Aborigines: the baskets represent the continuation of a traditional craft as well as meaningful employment for these rural communities.
The Tjanpi ("Grass") Desert Weavers association represents 400 women artists across 28 aboriginal communities in Australia, including some in the most remote regions of Australia. The coil baskets are woven with bunched minarri (greybeard) grass and wrapped in both natural and dyed raffia.
Above: Yilpi Lewis Basket from the Amata aboriginal community; $115 from Mr Kitly.
Above: The Yilpi Lewis basket features raffia that is colored with dyes derived from local plant sources.
Above: Maringka Burton Basket from the Indulkana aboriginal community; $115 from Mr Kitly.
Above: The work of the Tjanpi Desert Weavers is represented in several museums in Australia.