This is a wonderful example of traditional basket weaving by Lakota Sioux John Anderson. Using nothing but his bare hands and the straw, he weaves these incredible pieces strand by strand. Notice that the colored designs are not painted on but rather distinct pieces of dyed straw. This method GREATLY increases not just the amount of time, but the talent and precision necessary to achieve such a tightly woven basket. For the northwestern United States Native Americans, the whale had the same signficance as the buffalo did for the Southwestern United States Native Americans. The whale was the source of food and clothing and carried significant metaphorical and philosophical meaning. This basket celebrates that and symbolizes the Four Directions in the placement of the four whales. This beautiful piece can be hung on a wall or placed on a stand for display and will surely garner you great compliments and inquiries as the craftsmanship is absolutely breathtaking and as a piece of authentic basket weaving, it stands in a class by its own! Measurements: approximately 10 1/2" diameter