The Philippine collection at the Milwaukee Public Museum contains 235 basketry items, a selection of which is shown here.
Ten islands and 27 municipalities of the Philippine archipelago are represented in the collection.
The collection consists of baskets, traps, and hats. All the materials were utilitarian. Baskets served to transport food to and from the fields, as well as to store food and clothing.
Basketry styles differ by island, region, and ethnic group: the baskets from Mindanao, for instance, are often very distinctive from those of Luzon. As objects of practical art, however, Philippine baskets are defined by function rather than form.
The Philippine Basketry Collection webpages were produced by Anthropology interns Jamie Goethel and Emily Shadowens under the direction of George Ulrich, Anthropology Curator Emeritus.
Questions? Contact Dawn Scher Thomae.