#70 • Fine Attu Aleut Polychrome Grass Basket Wallet, c.1920s

Part of June 2026 Premier Auction (live auction by Alaska Premier Auctions & Appraisals)

High bid $2,100.00

Status: Sold

Category: Ethnographic Objects

A fine c.1920s Unangan (Aleut) Attu Island wild grass basket wallet, showcasing the exceptionally delicate weaving tradition for which Attu basketry is internationally renowned. Formed as a two-piece sliding wallet, the smaller pocket fits securely within a larger woven sleeve, creating an elegant and highly functional form seldom encountered in such well-preserved condition. The exterior is decorated with striking geometric bands of navy blue, red, and natural straw-colored diamonds interspersed with zigzag motifs, all executed with remarkable precision against an extraordinarily tight and even weave. The subtle symmetry of the design highlights the technical mastery required to produce these refined personal accessories. Aleut women harvested wild beach rye grass during the summer months, curing and carefully splitting each blade into thread-like strands before weaving while the material remained damp and pliable. Following the transfer of Alaska to the United States in 1867, finely woven baskets and wallets such as this became highly sought-after by travelers and collectors, with the remote community of Attu gaining particular acclaim for producing the finest, thinnest, and most technically accomplished examples in the Aleutian Islands. The wallet is housed in a custom shadow box for display and preservation, measuring approximately 8.25" x 12.25" x 1" overall.