Land of Oaks and Roses

Land of Oaks and Roses

Oak & Rose Library // Handwoven Baskets

They pre-date pottery!

Olivia Wright's avatar
Olivia Wright
Jul 23, 2026
∙ Paid

Welcome to Oak & Rose Library, your place to learn new things in Land of Oaks and Roses.

We (humans) have been weaving baskets by hand for thousands and thousands of years. They pre-date pottery! I just tried to find the culture responsible for bringing handwoven baskets to life, but it’s impossible because the practice developed independently in so many different parts of the world.

From top left: Mary Jackson, José Formoso Reyes, A Pomo Woman in 1924, Erin Pollard, unknown little girl I found on Pinterest but loved her so much I had to include her (if you can ID this photo pls share!) and Shibata Megumi.

Different cultures developed their own styles, and became masters of specific materials, but handwoven baskets are an ancient tradition we all share. They hold stories of survival, craft, beauty, and how these three things are often woven together (pun intended!)

I think there’s something so special, magical even, about these baskets. Put one in a room, or add one to an outfit, and see how the energy changes. To me, it’s instant rooting.

Here are my favorites, past and present to inspire and ground you:

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