The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of May 13, 2026

A wide, tapered bowl of coiled sumac and devil's claw curves outward from a narrow base. Dark brown geometric patterns decorate the tan surface: large stepped triangles zigzag around the lower body, while diagonal rows of small diamonds repeat above. Near the flared rim, clusters of diagonal bands encircle the vessel above a thin line. Rectangular motifs at the top edge feature subtle reddish-orange accents, punctuating the intricate woven design.

Presentation Bowl

1880–90

Native North America, Great Basin, California, Death Valley, Timbisha Shoshone

(Panamint)
devil's claw, sumac, yucca root, orange-shafted flicker (woodpecker) quills; coiled (2 rod and bundle of deer grass or basket grass)
Diameter: 21.5 x 48 cm (8 7/16 x 18 7/8 in.)
Presented by William Albert Price in memory of Mrs. William Albert Price 1917.482
Location: Not on view

Did You Know?

The two small, pink crosses on this basket may be a maker’s mark.

Description

This basket was made for the Euro-American collectors’ market in the early 1900s but it is modeled on basketry bowls from which the Timbisha (Panamint) Shoshone once served food. When used indigenously, the main view would have been of the interior. The two small, pink crosses, made of flicker (woodpecker) quills, may be a maker’s mark. Made-for-sale baskets testify to Indigenous women’s truly creative, resilient responses to forces that endangered their livelihoods and existence.
  • "Accessions." The Bulletin of the Cleveland Museum of Art 4, no. 4 (1917): 64-67. Mentioned: p. 65 www.jstor.org
    Bergh, Susan E., "Unburied Treasure", Cleveland Museum of Art. Cleveland Art: The Cleveland Museum of Art Members Magazine. Vol. 45 no. 10, December 2005 Mentioned & reproduced: 6 archive.org
  • Native North America. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer) (December 4, 2021-December 4, 2022).
    Gallery 231 - Native North American Basket Rotation. The Cleveland Museum of Art (organizer) (August 3, 2015-August 15, 2016).
    The Basket Makers, The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, Oh, (November 26, 1985-March 23, 1986)
  • {{cite web|title=Presentation Bowl|url=false|author=|year=1880–90|access-date=13 May 2026|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1917.482