We have a wonderful selection of Hopi Plaques in the Gallery.
Until a few years ago, these were my least favorite baskets. I looked at them as something that had been made by the Hopi that were beautiful, but unlike other Native baskets, I didn’t really think they had any purpose.
That was my mistake. When we worked with a partner to buy a large collection of the baskets, I began to study them and found that they are probably the most important art item in the Hopi culture. Why? Well, it is because they are primarily created by the weavers to be given away. They are for “gifting”. They are for showing gratitude to another person.
When one does something nice for another, be they family or not, the proper thank you is the gift of a basket. So these are pieces that have for years been a part of the Hopi culture.
The women spend months creating beautiful pieces out of grass and yucca, picking plants, drying and dyeing them to create the perfect basket, to be given away. Of course, they are also free to sell them, and someone who receives one can certainly sell it, but most Hopi plaques are kept within the community.
I now understand that this custom is an integral to the Hopi as planting corn or being part of the Katsina dances. And it starts young. Small baskets are made to be given to children for good deeds, to reinforce their commitment the the group.
It is a wonderful part of the Hopi culture.
We have a large number of these beautiful baskets that were purchased in a collection with a partner. The partner has asked us to reduce the price of the baskets so that he can move on to some other investments. We are now offering all of the Hopi Plaques that we have in stock at a 30 percent discount!
So, if you are on the web or in the Gallery, please take a look at the wonderful pieces and perhaps think of adding one to your collection! They are exceptional and most were made between 1960 and 1980. Every one is special.
Jackson Clark
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