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Exquisite Miniature Datsolalee Oval Basket (119996)

Currency:USD Category:American Indian Art / Art - Baskets Start Price:750.00 USD Estimated At:1,500.00 - 3,000.00 USD
Exquisite Miniature Datsolalee Oval Basket   (119996)
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Miniature Native American oval basket, most likely by Datsolalee,( Washo) because of the incredibly fine weave and detail. Unfortunately, Datsolalee did not record her miniatures in her grand catalog. Basket is 2-5/8" x 1" x 1/2". Datsolalee baskets sold for thousands of dollars, a huge sum for the early 1900's. This amazing miniature, is one of a kind, a tiny treasure in perfect condition!



Born in 1835, her given name was “Dabuda", meaning “Young Willow” which proved to be very prophetic. She used the willow in her basket weaving which made her famous. Dat So La Lee’s baskets gained notoriety as coveted pieces of art. Her baskets were woven with tiny stitches that were pulled tightly into a coil made of willow twigs. Her geometrical designs were small and repetitive, and included lines or triangles.



Her second marriage was to Charley Keyser in 1888, and she took the name Louisa Keyser. However, in the late 1860s, she formed a friendship with a Dr. S. L. Lee of Carson City, where she earned the nickname Dat So La Lee and this name stayed with her the remainder of her life.



Dat So La Lee learned traditional basket making during a time when the Washo women were forced to weave in secret. To help her people, she moved to Carson City in 1895, offering small baskets for sale to Abe and Amy Cohn, the owners of an emporium. From that time until her death in 1925, Abe and Amy Cohn supported Dat So La Lee so she could concentrate on making her superb baskets. She often joined the Cohns at their store in Tahoe City, where she sold her baskets to tourists and collectors.

Provenance:
Country (if not USA):
State: Nevada
City/County: Washoe Valley/ Carson Valley
Date: c. early 1900's