Item X 105018 djabbilarna | Basket. Kunwinjku. Gunbalanya, Western Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia. 2003

Summary

This coiled saucepan basket is made using a pie design where colour is equally divided with a solid coiled centre. Kunwinjku women make baskets and bowls that resemble household items and the one here is a popular form with its handles on opposite sides resembling a saucepan. It is known by the Kunwinjku term 'djabbilarna'. The large surface of this form allows for experimentation with colour and patterning, the rows often being stitched closely and tightly to intensify the colour.

Local Name

djabbilarna

Physical Description

Saucepan basket, coiled, with five vertical sections in dyed pandanus (yellow, brown) and undyed pandanus. It has two short rigid coiled handles that emerge from the last coil bundle at the rim on opposite sides.

Significance

Noeline Nayilibidj works at Mamadawerre and her preferred technique is coiling; she produces bold geometric designs in her work.