These exquisitely beautiful baskets are woven in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa.
Imbenge (beer pot covers) were traditionally woven from grass and palm. With modernization came multicolored telephone wire. Zulu night watchmen began weaving the telephone wire around their traditional walking sticks to relieve boredom during their long shifts. Soon the wire was adopted by basket weavers.
The original weavers have trained many men and women in these techniques. Today the weavers draw sustainable incomes from this eco-friendly, fair-traded handwork.
Fairly flat, these baskets are ideal for tabletop use or as wall hangings. Petite baskets are approximately 11" in diameter and 1.25" tall.