MBILI: Two Tone Woven Storage Basket
Description
Earthy grey and khaki hues create two-tone beauty in this naturally-dyed, hand woven basket. These natural woven baskets are produced in three different sizes by a Kenyan weaving cooperative, and become handy storage baskets for all over the home. They make beautiful fruit baskets and desk tidies, and can be used as both small and large planters, and our largest size is perfect as a laundry basket. Need more inspo? Check out our basket uses page HERE.
The women who create these two-tone natural baskets have woven from a young age: this meticulous, income-generating craft is traditionally passed down along the female line in Kenya. These craftswomen weave within a small but expanding cooperative led by the inspirational Madam Dorcas as Chairlady. Where once these weavers would travel regularly to Nairobi to sell their woven baskets, The Basket Room now provides them with regular and fairly-paid orders, and these completed baskets are then stored in purpose-built mud huts.
Each natural woven basket is supplied with a thank you card from the weaving cooperative, and you can meet these weavers right HERE. Production takes place primarily during the dry seasons, since the majority of weavers are from farming families who rely largely on subsistence farming and rainfall. To buy one of our woven baskets is to become part of our story: a tale of empowerment and dignity.
Material: SISAL & BRANDED LEATHER TAB
Dimensions (approx):
If you need a specific size please let us know prior to placing your order.
Please note, as this is a handmade product, dimensions & colour may vary from those shown in the photographs.
HANDMADE IN KENYA
Our journey into sustainable style began in Kenya, and the lion’s share of our woven baskets are Kenyan-made. Whilst every region of Kenya boasts its own rich natural bounty, each cooperative we partner with offers expertise in its own unique form of basketry. Weaving, dyeing and grass-rolling techniques differ across the regions as much as basket shapes, patterns and structures. These precious crafts are woven through the generations within families - passed along continuous thread from mother to daughter - protecting and preserving an art form as old as man.
Vast and colourful, vibrant and bursting with natural beauty and style, our fair trade baskets are as eclectic as their homeland and its people. From sisal grass to doum palm, banana leaf fibres to palm leaf, each weaving cooperative works with what is locally available and only what can be sustainably sourced, to produce beautiful baskets which are 100% Kenyan made, and ethically produced. All cow hide bag tags, straps, and basket labels are made from leather sourced as a by-product of the food industry. Natural dyes come from pounded roots, bark and vegetables of the region, whilst all synthetic dyes are sustainably sourced.
From the Kamba tribe to the camel-herding Ariaal pastoralists of Northern Kenya, you can read more about the lives of the Kenyan weavers we work with - and the wonderful baskets they produce - below.
Meet The Artisans
Who Made Your Basket?
United KingdomAlways love your baskets
So quick to send and always such a joy to open. These ones don't hold their shape as well as some but I'm not complaining as they were such a good price.
United KingdomWoven storage basket
Very good. Prompt delivery with good packaging and basket was as described. We particularly liked the personal touch of knowing who our basket maker was.
The Basket Room
Thank you for taking the time to leave us review. We are happy to hear you had a positive shopping experience! Thanks for shopping with us at The Basket Room
United KingdomLovely for laundry
A great visit to an Aladdin's cave...so many wonderful baskets in all shapes and sizes. I found just what I wanted....
The Basket Room
Thank you for visiting us at basket HQ! Hope to see you again soon!
United KingdomEven better than expected
Excellent. I bought the basket to put my hairbrushes in. It is the perfect size and stiffness to hold them perfectly.
The Basket Room
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review. We are glad to hear the basket has exceeded your expectations!
