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# Authentic Signed Mary Mitchell Gabriel (1992) Passamaquoddy Wabanaki Lidded Basket
## Master-Woven Sweetgrass & Brown Ash Fancy Basket — 11-12" Diameter
An exceptional, museum-quality piece of Native American cultural art hand-woven by celebrated Passamaquoddy master basketmaker **Mary Mitchell Gabriel (1908–2004)**. This substantial lidded fancy basket is dated **1992** and features the artist's authentic hand-written signature, **"Mary Gabriel 92"**, inscribed on the bottom center.
### 🌟 Artist Significance
Mary Mitchell Gabriel is widely revered as a foundational figure in preserving Maine's Wabanaki weaving traditions. In **1994**, she was awarded the prestigious **National Heritage Fellowship by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)**—the highest honor bestowed by the United States government upon traditional folk artists. Her masterworks reside in the permanent collections of elite institutions, including the Smithsonian Institution, the Abbe Museum, and the Hudson Museum.
### 🎨 Materials & Craftsmanship
* **Weave Structure:** Expertly constructed using a tightly coiled coastal sweetgrass method anchored by split brown ash splints radiating out in a flawless starburst/spoke design.
* **Design Accents:** Features two beautiful hand-braided sweetgrass loop handles on the lid, complemented by alternating vibrant red and neon-green dyed ash accent bands.
* **Size:** A very rare, large form factor measuring approximately 11 to 12 inches across.
### ✨ Condition Report
* **Excellent Vintage Condition:** The structural integrity of the basket is flawless, with no broken ash rails, splitting splints, or loose sweetgrass coils.
* **Vibrant Preservation:** The exterior retains beautiful coloring, while the interior reveals pristine, incredibly vibrant red and green dyed bands that have been perfectly shielded from sunlight and light damage over the past 30+ years.
* **Smoke-free, pet-free environment.**
### 📦 Shipping & Handling
This historic piece will be packed with the utmost care in a heavy-duty, oversized box with premium protective cushioning to ensure it arrives safely.
* **Shipping Method:** USPS Ground Advantage or Priority Mail (Fully Insured)
* **Signature Required upon delivery to secure your investment.**
