Everything about Basket totally explained
» This article is about the physical container. For other meanings, see Basket (disambiguation).
A
basket is a container which is traditionally constructed from stiff
fibres, often made of
willow.
(External Link
). The top is either left open or the basket may be fitted with a lid.
Historical usage
Wood,
bamboo,
wheat, other
grasses,
rushes,
twigs,
osiers, or
wicker are often used to make baskets. These items can also made today from
plastic. The first baskets were woven by gatherers to collect
fruits,
grains,
nuts, and other edible plant materials, as well as for holding
fish by early
fishing humans. A
creel is a basket made especially to hold fish.
The plant life available in a region affects the choice of material, which in turn influences the weaving technique.
Rattan and other members of the
Arecaceae or
palm tree family, the thin grasses of temperate regions, and broad-leaved tropical
bromeliads each require a different method of twisting and braiding to be made into an effective basket.
Although baskets were traditionally created to serve a utilitarian rather than an aesthetic purpose, the practice of basket making has evolved into an
art. Artistic freedom allows basket makers a wide choice of colors,
materials, sizes, patterns, and details.
Archaeological sites in the Middle East show that weaving techniques were used to make mats and possibly also baskets, circa
8 000 BC. Baskets made with several interwoven techniques were common at
3 000 BC.
The carrying of a basket on the head, particularly by rural women, has long been practiced. Representations of this in
Ancient Greek art are called
Canephorae.
Overturned woven baskets are used drummed by the
Tohono O'odham to accompany
songs (Zepeda 1995, p.89).
Modern usage
In modern usage, baskets are chosen chiefly for decorative purposes.
Easter baskets are used to collect or hold treats for Easter. These baskets are normally made of plastic (not woven) and have a weave-like pattern imprinted.
Gift baskets are used to present items such as
fruit,
wine, and
flowers. Some baskets are used to cradle bottles of red wine to assist pouring.
Baskets made out of crystal
glass are manufactured both for decorative and utility purposes.
Hot air balloons are equipped with baskets for carrying the operator and passengers.
As a demonstration of
contortionism, a basket containing a human may be repeatedly pierced with
swords. The human survives through skill in avoiding the swords.
Figurative and literary usage
The phrase "
to hell in a handbasket" means
to rapidly deteriorate. The origin of this use is unclear.
Gallery of baskets
Image:yellow.balloon.lifts.in.bath.arp.jpg|The wicker basket of a hot air balloon. The balloon is taking off
Image:hotair.balloon.1.750pix.jpg|A hot air balloon in flight, showing the wickerwork passenger basket
Image:wicker.balloon.basket.bath.arp.jpg|A wicker balloon basket holding 16 passengers
Image:Korb1.JPG|Basket stall, Frankfurt, Germany
Image:Basket 493 (PSF).png|Deep long-handled carrying basket
Image:Hubbell baskets.jpeg|Old American Indian baskets, Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site
Further Information
Get more info on 'Basket'.
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