Sharing the process of custom framing a Navajo Ceremonial Wedding Basket:
Custom framed basket in a hand-painted Shadowbox Frame
In this paragraph, lets explore a little about this basket:
“The Navajo Ceremonial Basket, also called Navajo Wedding basket, is viewed as a map through which the Navajo chart their lives. The central spot in the basket represents the sipapu, where the Navajo people emerged from the prior world through a reed.” (Natural History Museum of Utah).
“The basket is used in nearly every significant life event from the birth of a child, to a wedding, the blessing of a home, and healing ceremonies. The ceremonial basket symbolizes happiness, security and well-being.
The Navajo Ceremonial Basket utilizes plant material native to the washes that surround the Navajo Reservation. The basket is woven from strips of Sumac coiled over a foundation of sumac rods. It is commonly believed that having a Navajo basket in your home is a blessing. Just as the doorway of a traditional Navajo dwelling faces east, so too should the opening of a Navajo basket design. By honoring the east, we welcome the purity, rebirth and renewal that the rising sun brings. If the opening cannot be pointed east while displayed, it is acceptable to point the opening upwards towards the sun and sky.
Most Navajo ceremonial baskets have three red banded designs, though more bands may be used for special ceremonies. The paler designs in the center represent clouds and rain, with the darker inner portion representing mountains. The red bands are rainbows, representing joy and happiness and the fruits of life. The rainbows are also a symbol of protection. The outer design portions represent Holy and Spiritual people and the outer pale portions are where the Sun, Moon, and Stars travel- representing the source of life to all creation.” (Garlands in Sedona, AZ)
Firstly, a bit on the thought process in choosing colors and designs for the framing:
The focus of all our framing projects is preservation of the art! We want to use mounting methods that won’t damage the art and are reversable. We decided on sewing the basket to a backing board and present it “floating” in the frame. The neutral mat colors were chosen to allow the basket to stand out and not compete with the beauty of the artwork. The frame has a hand-painted design mimicking the stunning geometric designs. We love to emphasize the one-of-a-kind and handmade aspects of each and every artwork. This one was especially fun!
Secondly, the process of putting everything together:
Matting and mounting a basket
A circular window is cut into the red linen backing board to sink the basket into the opening. A pin-wheel pattern of foam core boards fill in the back to match the shape of the basket as a way to support the weight of the artwork. If you look in the center you will notice the four holes in the white board where thread will be fed through and tied in the back to mount the basket.
Hand-painting a frame for basket shadowbox
The black shadowbox frame is sanded to prepare the surface before we paint. We then measure and sketch a design and mix paint in earthy southwest tones. After drying, the frame is lightly scraped and sanded to give a weathered appearance. Finally, we seal the paint and give a protective coating with a clear coat
Framing a basket
After that, the glass is cut to fit the frame. Matching beige linen mat sides are created to glue to the insides of the frame to hold the glass in tightly. Further, the linen sides are sized to set the art back from the glass, allowing a minimum 1/8″ clearance. The art, matting, and glass are cleaned and dusted, however, this final step can be time-consuming but well worth it to get all visible dust specks out for a clean presentation. We finish every project with a dust cover paper backing and a hanging system to be displayed!
detail of basket shadowbox framing
Lastly, what can we frame for you?
We welcome any challenge and enjoy working with our clients to create a beautiful presentation for their prized collection.
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