Why were feather-decorated gift baskets made by Native American artists in California?

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Hohokam pottery — Native American art Pottery created by the Hohokam people, made of buff clay and painted with red designs.

Native American artists in California, particularly among groups such as the Pomo, Hupa, Yurok, and Karok, created delicately woven "gift" baskets decorated with bird feathers for two primary reasons:

Demonstration of Mastery: The intricate process of interweaving feathers into the basketry allowed the weaver to showcase her exceptional skill and technical mastery of the craft.1
Expression of Affection: These baskets served as a meaningful way for the weaver to display her deep affection for the deceased.1

These baskets are part of a broader tradition of California Indian basketry, which is renowned globally for its wide variety and high level of technical proficiency, ranging from watertight containers to highly decorative ceremonial items.1