Wavy Grass Baskets
Ghana Elephant Grass baskets are unique vessels, stunning in their organic shape, staggering size, and natural pigment. The intricate patterns and forms are carefully designed, with a thoughtful selection of botanical color combinations.
A testament to craftsmanship
Each Ghana Elephant Grass basket is a testament to meticulous craftsmanship, honed through generations of artistry. Using “Veta vera” grass, commonly known as elephant grass, hand-harvested from the wetlands of northern Ghana, artisans prepare the fibers by drying, cleaning, and splitting them to create durable weaving material.
To introduce color, the fibers are dyed in natural, plant-based pigments derived from local leaves, roots, and seeds. The dyeing process involves boiling the grass in natural dye baths, then air-drying the fibers to lock in vibrant colors that echo the region’s rich botanical palette.
Rooted in tradition and crafted for a modern audience
Once ready for weaving, the grasses are soaked to achieve flexibility. Skilled weavers use a coiling technique, layering the grass in precise patterns to form the basket’s organic shape and distinct textures. Each basket takes days to complete, with artisans carefully weaving complex patterns and shapes, ensuring symmetry and strength.
As the final touch, baskets are sometimes coated in natural oils or waxes for extra durability. The result is a stunning work of art—bold in form, striking in color, and functional in design—rooted in tradition and crafted for a modern audience.
Frequently asked questions
Jen and Ed collaborate closely with skilled weavers and their representatives in each country from which we source our pieces.
Through these direct relationships, we've established meaningful connections with artisans and trusted individuals who represent their countries and tribes with authenticity and respect. Every piece is thoughtfully selected and approved by us personally—whether we bring it back from an in-person visit with the artists or receive it through regular shipments from our trusted partners.
We honor the prices set by the weavers themselves, ensuring that every commissioned basket is truly “fairly traded.”
Our artist-patron approach is built on direct, supportive relationships with weavers and their families, supporting them consistently through the months, and sometimes years, it takes to create each museum-quality basket. We believe that artisans should be compensated promptly for their work, without undue delay.
These skilled weavers are knowledgeable about the value of their craft in U.S. dollars and understand the worth of their time and talent. The growing number of men joining the weaving community shows the art’s increasing value compared to other forms of work. In fact, some weavers now command thousands of dollars for their finest pieces, reflecting the respect and value placed on their craftsmanship.
Purchase woven art because you love it, not simply for its potential to appreciate in value. However, as demand grows for high-quality, handcrafted basketry and supply remains naturally limited, prices have been rising substantially year after year.
We can gain insight into the future value of woven art by looking at trends with vintage and antique Native American baskets, which often fetch thousands to tens of thousands of dollars. A collectible work of art gains value based on market perceptions of its uniqueness, cultural significance, and craftsmanship, both now and in the future.
There is a limited number of skilled weavers capable of producing fine basketry, and even fewer who are true masters of this art. If weaving skills are not passed down through generations, and supplies of raw materials are affected by environmental challenges, previously made baskets could become even more valuable over time.
