Rare and Important Mono Lake Paiute Polychrome Basket by Carrie Bethel

very finely woven in sedge, bracken fern and redbud on willow rods, with an encircling serrated zigzag band enclosing diamond designs, large stylized medallions in the alternating fields.   

Collected from Carrie Bethel by Donald Segerstrom, circa 1960

Private Collection

Craig D. Bates and Martha J. Lee, Tradition and Innovation: A Basket History of the Indians of the Yosemite-Mono Lake Area, 1990, p. 254, illustrated.

Very good condition. Very minor stitch loss, consistent with age.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The basket is a ubiquitous symbol of Native America as a vast number of tribes from California to New York had weaving traditions. A handful of gifted weavers, however, elevated the tradition to an art form and Carrie Bethel (1898-1974) has the distinction of creating some of the finest and most demanding baskets in existence. Apart from their technical achievement, her works are characterized by striking and innovative polychromatic design motifs both of which are in evidence with this superb example.

For more information of Carrie Bethel see Craig D. Bates and Martha J. Lee, Tradition and Innovation, Yosemite Association, 1990, p. 136: "Carrie Bethel was born in Lee Vining on July 4, 1889...She spent most of her early years in the Mono Basin, living near Bodie...Bethel learned to weave baskets as a child, discarding many incomplete baskets before finishing her first in 1910...By the 1920s Bethel was an accomplished weaver and a prominent competitor in the Yosemite and June Lake Indian Field Days. She enjoyed a special artist-patron relationship with James Schwabacher who purchased most of her larger baskets. In 1939 Betel demonstrated at the Golden Gate International Exposition, held on Treasure Island near San Francisco, and her baskets were sold at the trading post there."