Woven Wallpaper Patterns The definition of basketry is the art
of making baskets, utilizing various creative techniques, such
as weaving, coiling and plaiting. The materials used in these
techniques vary from reed, pine needles, rush, ash, twigs,
roots, strips of hide, osier willows, bamboo splits, cane or
rattan, raffia, grasses, straw, or other wood splints. Basketry
is one of the earliest known art forms. Some may even call it
ancient. Methods of weaving done by Egyptians are still being
used in Africa today. Hundreds of years ago, the number of
craftsmen employed and the output of their labours must have
been immense, but the humble status of the basketmaker has all
but disappeared. In practically every instance where today one
needs cardboard, plastic or plywood for packing material, two
hundred years ago this need would have been met by wickerwork.
Fruit and vegetables were gathered from the fields into baskets;
fish, poultry and dairy produce were all packed into wicker for
the journey to the town mark