Pom-Pom Vintage Hanging Basket of Joy -Large [Siwa Oasis]

This is the largest piece in our collection. She's also the grandmamma. She's a lovely vintage item but not as vibrant and sparkly as the younger baskets.  This awesome basket would of been made as part of a women's dowry and has obviously lived a good life. These are a new design twist on the traditional wedding baskets unique to Siwa Oasis. Designed to store sweets or dried dates inside, you can do whatever you want. You can hang it. It can sit on a shelf. You can use it as a bag. Awesome, practical and happiness galore!

THE DETAILS-

• Totally unique, 1 of a kind, handmade item.
• Handcrafted by the women of Siwa Oasis.
• Vintage item in nice vintage condition (most wear is on the handle)
• Vibrancy of tassels & pom-poms are faded from age but are still delightful.
• Hand washed and trimmed with care.
• Baskets are handmade so not symmetrical which adds to their charm.
• Material- Woven palm leaves with acrylic wool pom-poms & tassels.
• Height- 30cm (11.8 inch's)
• Circumference- 80cm (31.5 inch's)
• Length of handle- 33cm (13 inch's)
•  Weight- 0.8kgs (1.8lbs)

THE STORY-

The inhabitants of Siwa Oasis have been growing date palms for over 3,000 years. Siwan dates are of exceptional quality and taste which has been praised since Pharaonic times. It also explains why the oasis's ancient Egyptian name was Sekht-am, meaning “palm land.” Nothing from the palms goes to waste. Fronds are used for brooms, beds, boxes, and other types of furniture, while the trunk itself is used in roofing and structural supports for houses. 

Siwa Oasis was one of the most isolated places in Egypt until the arrival of the first vehicle access road in the 1980's. Before then the only access to other townships was via camel track. Located on the border of Libya and The Great Sand Sea, the oasis survived on agriculture, primarily trading dates, olives and handcrafts. The Amazighs of the Oasis have their own distinct culture and language which had been protected due to their isolation. It's this isolation which has developed a rich and unique culture based on Berber symbols and customs. Symbols are always meaningful and are meant to promote good health, fertility and to protect from misfortune amongst other good things. 

In Siwa Oasis today, while there is a feeling of optimism for the future, at the same time there is nostalgia for the past. Some fear that the Oasis's unique Berber culture is being lost.  One benefit of the arrival of tourists has been a huge demand for Siwan crafts. Women and girls are now able to provide the tourist market with arts and crafts, especially embroidered dresses, shawls, woven rugs, baskets, tapestries and more recently, silver jewelry. Special training programs have been introduced to revive the skills of needlework and metal working.  Thus, demand from outside has stimulated a revival of traditional handicrafts and is restoring a link with the past.

We'd love to hear from you if you have any questions.
*We do our very best to make sure colours are as close to real life as possible. Your computer may not. Silly machines.