Rare Tonga Binga Basket Bowl 6inch Zimbabwe MATTER COLLECTION

Beautiful, rare Tonga Binga Basket Bowl, from the Matter Collection.

Tonga Binga baskets are traditional handcrafted baskets made by the Tonga women of Binga district in Zimbabwe. Crafted with intricate designs using locally sourced materials like ilala palm leaves and grass, these baskets feature a unique "snake's belly" pattern on the edges. They originate as woven squares and transform into nearly perfect rounds. Functionally used for winnowing grain, they're also known as "grandmother baskets" due to the declining number of younger women making them. Weaving these baskets is a skill-intensive, time-consuming process involving collecting, drying, dyeing, and weaving the materials into symbolic patterns. These baskets serve multiple purposes, from carrying food to being decorative items, and are a significant income source for Tonga women who sell them at markets and to tourists. Symbolizing the cultural heritage of the Tonga people, these baskets are both beautiful and emblematic of their tradition.

Provenance: Matter Collection

From the collection of Margie and Phil Matter. Margie lived in South Africa, and later she and her husband Phil opened a gallery in Tucson. Everything in this collection was in their home for more than thirty years. Africa Direct recently bought the collection; at 95, Margie wants to share the things she has loved so much.

155133