Fine Handwoven Cahuilla baskets
Cahuilla baskets are highly regarded around the world for their fine weaving and their beauty of design. Many people have prized baskets made by family members, acquired as gifts from friends, or purchased for private collections.
The monetary value of a Cahuilla basket is based on its age, condition, quality of manufacture, beauty of design, and the information available about its maker. Cahuilla baskets generally start at about $300 and go as high as many thousands of dollars. They are worth giving special care to protect and conserve their sentimental, aesthetic, and monetary value.
Avoid Damage to Your Woven Basket
Baskets are subject to damage and deterioration in many ways. Thought should be given to how they are displayed and cleaned to minimize the effects of aging and to maintain their beauty and value. Many factors should be considered. Exposure to light fades and changes colors and designs begin to disappear. High or low humidity causes swelling, shrinking, and breaking of basketry materials. Indoor relative humidity levels here in the desert are about 35% and sometimes drop much lower. It is difficult to maintain the recommended 40 to 60% humidity levels, however stable humidity is more important than the actual percentage. Soiling can attract insects and molds that damage baskets. Aerosol products such as cleaners, perfumes, and hair sprays can inadvertently affect nearby baskets. The manner of displaying baskets can also contribute to damage. Stands, mounts, display cases, and hangers should be carefully selected to protect their contents.
Museums store baskets in enclosed cabinets away from light. Acid-free tissue is often used to wrap them. Inert foams that do not off-gas damaging fumes are used to construct supports and mounts when needed. Special tools and vacuum cleaners are used for cleaning. Many of these techniques can be adapted for use with private collections. Acid-free tissue can be purchased from dry cleaners who prepare wedding gowns for long-term storage or from archival supply vendors.
Plastic bags that are made for use with foods are safe for storing baskets. Bags should not be tightly closed, but left unsealed or have a few holes punched with a paper punch. This will prevent moisture condensation inside the bag but will protect baskets from dust and soil.
Keeping your Coiled Basket Clean
Never wash baskets with soap and water! Fibers swell, then dry and shrink. The wrapping fibers shrink first while the coils are still swollen so the wrapping coils stretch and break. Natural oils are removed. Embedded soil is not removed, but creates a muddy solution that is absorbed into the fibers. Soaps and detergents dry out fibers and leave harmful residues.
Never use waxes or oils to treat baskets to keep them flexible as these can cause direct damage. They also attract and hold dust and soil and can change the dyes and natural colors of the basketry materials.
Baskets should be periodically cleaned of dust. The most efficient method is using a soft paintbrush to whisk dust toward the nozzle of a vacuum cleaner. Cover the nozzle with a scrap of nylon net or pantyhose and secure tightly with a rubber band. Set the vacuum on low power if available. Use care not to snag the basket with the paint brush and never use the vacuum directly on the basket. This method may not remove all soiling, but remember that a dirty basket is better than one deteriorating from water, soap, or other cleaning methods.
Display your beautiful baskets away from direct natural or artificial light, heaters or fans, and moisture. Be sure that display mounts do not have sharp edges that may scratch and cut fibers. Cut a piece of clear mylar or food storage plastic to place between basket and wood or plastic surfaces. Aquarium tubing can be used to make small rings to set them on. Visit museums to see how baskets are mounted to protect them. The Museum curatorial staff will be happy to answer questions and help you find safe solutions for your basket storage and displays.
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