How can basketry be used to make objects besides containers?

Beyond its traditional role as a container, basketry is a versatile craft used to create a wide array of functional and decorative objects. Because the technique involves assembling flexible fibers into a continuous surface, it is applied to many areas of daily life and construction.12

Construction and Household Items

Basketry is integral to building and furnishing homes. Mats, which are among the oldest forms of basketry, have been used historically to cover floors and walls, and they remain essential in modern architecture, such as the Japanese tatami mats. Beyond flooring, basketry techniques are used to create:1
* Furniture: Including beds, tables, chairs, and cradles.1
* Structural elements: Such as partitions, fences, and even roofs made of large basketry cones.1

Clothing and Personal Accessories

The flexibility of plaited basketry allows for the creation of wearable items, including:
* Apparel: Skirts, loincloths, dresses, raincoats, sandals, and hats.1
* Accessories: Purses, combs, headdresses, necklaces, bracelets, and jewelry imitations.1
* Protection: Helmets, shields, and armor, which benefit from the lightweight nature of basketry materials.1

Specialized Tools and Transport

Basketry is also used for:
* Fishing and Harvesting: Including fish traps, snares, and winnowing trays for collecting grain.1
* Watercraft: Such as the balsa boats of Lake Titicaca, the British coracle, and the gufa of the Tigris.1
* Ritual Objects: Including masks, dance accessories, and elaborate geometric shapes used in religious processions.1