The Sweetgrass Baskets
Purchased for Family Heirlooms
Gullah Culture Gifts
History: Sweetgrass basket making has been a part of the Mount Pleasant, SC community for more than 300 years. Brought to the area by slaves who came from West Africa, basket making is a traditional art form which has been passed on from generation to generation. Basketmaking has always involved the entire family. As a custom, men gathered the materials while women weave the baskets.
Material: Baskets are made with Sweetgrass, Bulrush or Marsh, Long Leaf Pine Needle, and Palmetto Leaves. Baskets can be cleaned with mild soap using a cloth or soft brush. A simple design can take 6-12 hours and a more creative, complex design can take as long as 5 days.
How serendipitous, I've been researching their sweetgrass baskets. Lovely!
ReplyDeleteBEST. GIFTS. EVER! My dad bought us a neat bowl many, many years ago... it looks exactly as it did then, and we use it daily!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous!
They are beautiful and there's nothing like handmade goods! How many did you buy?
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that this craft has not been lost over time, in fact is still flourishing. Beautiful to my eyes!
ReplyDeletestare into the basket and find a ship. Five days, not much is handmade now days. They are all works of art.
ReplyDeleteHandmade traditional crafts are indeed treasures to perpetuate. The Gullah culture is probably little known outside the Southeast.
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ReplyDeleteWish I had a spot to put one of the those!
So beautiful and such craftsmanship.
ReplyDeletewow! really cool! just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI hope these traditions carry on to future generations. They are truly works of art.
ReplyDeleteI love going shopping with you, Kate. You always find such interesting items and my wallet is a safe distance from the action.
ReplyDeleteI know a spot that has loads of Bulrush plants at Coombe. Next time I see them I will think of this post on your blog. Wonderful and super photos too.
ReplyDeleteThese are lovely, Kate. When we were in Charleston, we planned to buy a couple of these, but we didn't act right away and then we didn't see other appropriate baskets before we left. Next time!
ReplyDeleteWonderful assets. I hope you bought a couple.
ReplyDeleteMagnificent pieces of craftsmanship, great capture!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful craftsmanship.
ReplyDeleteThese are wonderful, Kate.
ReplyDeleteSo amazing to think of someone sitting weaving in this very same method hundred of years ago Kate, some things will never change.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what sweetgrass is, but I love handwoven baskets of all kinds! I'm glad we have plenty of them here.
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