Tonga Basket Natural

A handwoven natural Tonga basket in Ilala palm

These solid-edged baskets are the pinnacle of the Tonga (Bathonga) basket-maker’s art in Zimbabwe and Southern Zambia. Woven from Ilala palm leaf, each starts as a square and is coiled into an almost perfect circle. The fine edging is known as “snake’s belly” for its serpent-scale pattern, and the soft natural tones come from dyes made with tree bark. Traditionally used to winnow grain, today they make striking, sculptural wall art.

Each is handmade and one of a kind, with slight natural variation in size and tone. Lovely on its own, or grouped with others for a textural gallery wall.