Vintage Native American Navajo Made Pitch Basket

This older Navajo pitch basket with braided horsehair handles was made by Navajo artist Rose Laughter. It is a beautiful example of a purely Navajo craft. The Navajo started dipping their baskets in hot pitch in order to make them waterproof. By doing this they could make bigger baskets and carry more water, much lighter than using pottery for that task. The Navajo still dip their baskets and handmade pottery in hot pitch.