Wounaan basket from Panama handwoven with labyrinth motif in black and ivory tones, tilted for side display.
Handwoven Wounaan basket with rounded form and repeating labyrinth pattern, crafted in Panama from dyed palm fibers
Close-up of Wounaan basket showing intricate labyrinth-style geometric pattern in black and ivory palm fiber.
Detail view of handwoven Panamanian Wounaan basket with bold geometric design in natural palm fiber.
Overhead view of Panamanian Wounaan woven basket showing labyrinth-like circular geometric design.

Labyrinth Pattern Wounaan Basket

One-of-a-kind | Handcrafted in Panama

Regular price$95.00
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Shipping calculated at checkout.

Handwoven in Panama by Wounaan artisans, this basket features an intricate labyrinth-like geometric motif in deep black and ivory palm fibers. The weaving is precise and evenly coiled, showing the refinement of recent Wounaan work while retaining the sculptural weight of earlier styles. A one-of-a-kind decorative basket that blends Indigenous tradition with bold visual impact.

Dimensions 5" W x 4" H
Origin Handwoven in Panama
Materials Palm fiber, natural dyes

Handwoven in Panama by

Wounaan Weavers of the Darién

No. of Artisans

Over 50-75+

Origin

Darién Rainforest, Panama


Fairly Made. Community Driven.

Every Wounaan basket is purchased directly from the artist at fair prices that support families and preserve tradition.

The Story

Handmade by the rural Wounaan tribe, each basket is more than an object—it is a living thread in an ancient tradition. For generations, Wounaan families of the Darién rainforest have practiced the intricate art of weaving, passing knowledge from elder to apprentice, palm frond to palm frond.

Every material is gathered from the rainforest itself. Palm fibers are cut, stripped, and dyed with pigments drawn from leaves, roots, seeds, and bark. Masks and baskets are both shaped with similar weaving techniques—tight coils and precise stitches that demand patience and vision. Even the carvings that accompany some works are drawn from the wood surrounding each artist’s village, connecting object to place in the most literal sense.

The result is art that is deeply rooted in its origin: vibrant, resilient, and bound to the natural rhythms of the forest. Each piece embodies not only the creative hand of the weaver but also the enduring spirit of the Darién itself.

The Making

Inspired by the rainforest and by pre-Colombian body painting, each basket is a dialogue between tradition and the natural world. Weavers stitch with fine needles and the most supple fibers of the werregue and naguala palms—materials prepared, softened, and dyed with pigments drawn from seeds, roots, and leaves. Months, and often years, go into a single piece, each coil revealing echoes of ancient pottery, wild plant life, and the patient rhythm of hand and thread.

Each piece is handwoven over many months using natural fibers and plant-based dyes. To protect its color and structure, we recommend displaying your woven art away from direct sunlight or skylights, as UV exposure can fade dyes and weaken fibers over time.

In very dry climates, you may occasionally mist the inside lightly with distilled or non-chlorinated water—similar to caring for wicker or rattan. Gently blot away any excess with a paper towel to help maintain the fiber’s natural balance.

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