This basket is quite rare. I have consulted with two knowledgeable people who have differing opinions about the tribal identity of the weaver. One person says that it is Tubatulabal and the other believes that it is Mission. It is clearly Californian.

 

The Tubatulabal lived in the Kern Valley in California and they were a relatively small group of people. Their baskets are often confused with the neighboring Kawaiisu.

 

This is a fascinating basket as well as a very interesting one. It merits being preserved in a collection.