Alma Johnston Stepped Baleen Basket Alaskan Art

Alma Johnston Stepped Baleen Basket Alaskan Art

Read about the artist here.

Baleen baskets are among the most difficult to weave because of the stiffness of the material. Alma Johnston, daughter of master weaver Don Johnston, has woven a tight basket with a beautiful whale fluke carved from walrus tusk.

This basket has steps all along the side of the basket, from the very bottom of the base to the cover. This is a design created by Alma Johnston. These touches add significantly to the complexity of the construction and to the beauty of the basket.

Basket is 4 1/2 inches in diameter x 3 3/4 inches high to the top of the whale tail finial. The basket is signed Alma on the base ivory, though it is not legible in the photos.