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      Vintage Wounaan Baskets from Panama

      These are early works—raw, rare, and full of firsts.

      Woven 15–20 years ago by Wounaan artists experimenting with new motifs, this collection blends bold geometry with the earliest animal and plant imagery. You’ll find wider coils, softer tones, and signature creatures woven solo across each surface. These aren’t just baskets. They’re the blueprint.

      Echoes of the Ancestors
      $675.00
      Vintage Crimson Brown Cultural – geometric motif – woven basket – baskets – handwoven in Panama
      Vintage Crimson Woven Basket
      $121.00
      Vintage Orange Brown Diamonds – geometric motif – woven basket – baskets – handwoven in Panama
      Vintage Yaguará Woven Basket
      $160.00
      Vintage Lined Diamonds – geometric motif – woven basket – baskets – handwoven in Panama
      Vintage Brisa Woven Basket
      $180.00
      Vintage Brown Butterflies 2 – butterfly motif – woven basket – baskets – handwoven in Panama
      Vintage Sombra Woven Basket
      $180.00
      Vintage Orange Lined In Black – geometric motif – woven basket – baskets – handwoven in Panama
      Vintage Jade Woven Basket
      $180.00
      Vintage Orange Open Bowl – geometric motif – woven basket – baskets – handwoven in Panama
      Vintage Guarumo Woven Basket
      $181.50
      Vintage Macaws And Berries – birds motif – woven basket – baskets – handwoven in Panama
      Vintage Macaws Woven Basket
      $970.00
      Vintage Brown Frogs – critters motif – woven basket – baskets – handwoven in Panama
      Vintage Frogs Woven Basket
      $230.00
      Vintage Bats Birds – critters motif – woven basket – baskets – handwoven in Panama
      Vintage Veragua Woven Basket
      $200.00
      Vintage Butterflies In Steps – butterfly motif – woven basket – baskets – handwoven in Panama
      Vintage Chimán Woven Basket
      $200.00
      Vintage Brown Butterflies On Leaves – butterfly motif – woven basket – baskets – handwoven in Panama
      Vintage Cielo Woven Basket
      $190.00
      Vintage Brown Ants – critters motif – woven basket – baskets – handwoven in Panama
      Vintage Ants Woven Basket
      $120.00
      Vintage Golden Diamonds – geometric motif – woven basket – baskets – handwoven in Panama
      Vintage Oropéndola Woven Basket
      $110.00
      Vintage Windy Trees – geometric motif – woven basket – baskets – handwoven in Panama
      Vintage Selva Woven Basket
      $100.00
      Vintage Striped Butterflies – butterfly motif – woven basket – baskets – handwoven in Panama
      Vintage Striped Woven Basket
      $100.00
      Vintage Black Orange Ladders – geometric motif – woven basket – baskets – handwoven in Panama
      Vintage Orange Woven Basket
      $93.50
      Vintage Lined Black Triangles – geometric motif – woven basket – baskets – handwoven in Panama
      Vintage Triangles Woven Basket
      $100.00
      Vintage Thin Golden Lines – geometric motif – woven basket – baskets – handwoven in Panama
      Vintage Golden Woven Basket
      $100.00
      Vintage Gold Village – geometric motif – woven basket – baskets – handwoven in Panama
      Vintage Village Woven Basket
      $93.50
      Vintage Yellow Lined Triangles – geometric motif – woven basket – baskets – handwoven in Panama
      Vintage Triangles Woven Basket
      $90.00
      Vintage Brown Butterflies – butterfly motif – woven basket – baskets – handwoven in Panama
      Vintage Brown Butterflies Basket
      $90.00
      Vintage Black Stripes – geometric motif – woven basket – baskets – handwoven in Panama
      Vintage Stripes Woven Basket
      $90.00
      Vintage Black Butterflies – butterfly motif – woven basket – baskets – handwoven in Panama
      Vintage Butterflies Woven Basket
      $88.00

      Q&A: Vintage Wounaan Baskets from Panama

      Vintage Wounaan baskets are early woven works made by Wounaan artisans of Panama 15–20 years ago. These pieces capture the beginnings of animal and plant imagery alongside bold geometric designs, woven with wider coils and softer natural tones.

      They represent the first generation of pictorial Wounaan basketry, making them rare and historically significant. Collectors and interior designers value them as one-of-a-kind statement pieces, both for their artistry and for their role as blueprints of today’s complex designs.

      Vintage baskets often have wider coils, fewer colors, and more open designs, with single animals or simple motifs across the surface. Contemporary Wounaan baskets are usually more intricate, with finer stitches, denser imagery, and expanded use of color.

      Just like today, they were woven from Werregue palm fibers, shredded into fine threads and dyed with pigments from seeds, roots, and fruits. Over time, the dyes soften, giving vintage baskets their muted and timeless patina.

      Yes. These baskets were made with the same natural, responsibly gathered fibers and dyes as contemporary ones. Purchasing them today honors both the past artistry and the ongoing legacy of Wounaan weaving.

      Vintage baskets deserve to be shown as fine art—whether as wall décor, tabletop accents, or sculptural objects. Keep them away from direct sunlight and moisture, and dust gently with a soft brush to protect their aged fibers and tones.

      Many early designs focused on bold geometry, while the first pictorial motifs often featured jaguars, birds, or plants. These symbols reflect protection, life, and connection to the rainforest—motifs that became the foundation of modern Wounaan weaving.

      Authentic vintage Wounaan baskets from Panama are available through RFB Woven Art, curated as collectible woven art for discerning collectors and interior designers.