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 lthough
it has been said that a basket is only understood
through its use, it would seem that this would give only
a limited appreciation.
Rather, a true
understanding could only come with a deeper knowledge of
the what and the why of a basket.
Since each and every basket is handmade, there
will certainly be individual variations and it is up to
the discriminating user of a basket to develop the
discernment of material and construction and to
ascertain to what degree of craftsmanship the two are
integrated and how they relate to the object’s final
purpose.
The
material of a basket is surely a primary concern not
only to its maker but to its end-user as well.
In the Philippines, there are more than thirty
common natural materials that may be used for basketry
and many of these designations have sub-species or
varieties with assorted properties or characteristics.
It is only through experience that the inherent
qualities of each of these materials can be well
calculated and we are therefore dependent to a great
extent upon the discretion of the basket –maker in the
selection of his material.
When
we judge the inherent properties of the material and its
relevance to the form of the basket.
We are in fact considering the skill and
experience of the maker in the selection and preparation
of that material. Even
those basketry objects which are not true baskets, i.e.,
they are not intended to be containers but meant to be
primary decorative objects, must have an integrity based
upon the relevance of the material and the form.
For example, we could easily see that a carrying
basket of split rattan peel with a braided round
carrying strap or handle would be designed for long life
and rugged use. Although
somewhat pliable and resilient, it would undoubtedly be
of fixed form and capable of bearing great weight.
On the other hand, a pandan or seagrass
carrying basket or bag with a carrying strap of its own
material would not invite great weight.
But the material may have the added attraction of
a fashionable color or an unusual texture.
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