Black handwoven Wounaan butterfly basket with red eyespot wings held in hand showing miniature scale
Black handwoven Wounaan basket from Panama with large ivory butterfly veined in olive and emerald green
Handwoven Wounaan basket, ivory butterfly with crimson and violet eyespots on jet-black coiled weave
Panama Artisan holding woven basket in progress
close up artisan hands weaving
palm fiber with natural dye
Black handwoven Wounaan butterfly basket with red eyespot wings held in hand showing miniature scale
Black handwoven Wounaan basket from Panama with large ivory butterfly veined in olive and emerald green
Handwoven Wounaan basket, ivory butterfly with crimson and violet eyespots on jet-black coiled weave
Panama Artisan holding woven basket in progress
close up artisan hands weaving
palm fiber with natural dye

Midnight Wings Basket - Handwoven Wounaan Art

SPM-3680

Handwoven in Panama |★★★★★

Two Butterflies Lit Against Midnight

On one side of this jet-black vessel, a great ivory butterfly spreads wings veined in olive and emerald green; turn it and a second butterfly appears, its ivory wings marked with crimson-and-violet eyespots and a fringe of plum along the lower edge, with flashes of green at the seams. In Wounaan cosmology the butterfly carries the promise of transformation — the night-dark ground here makes its wings read like moonlight in the Darién rainforest. The basket is the joint work of Wounaan artists Erta Piraza and Edith.

Both butterflies are built in hösig di coil weaving, a discipline passed down through generations. The weavers harvest werregue palm sustainably, split the fiber into fine strands, and dye it with natural plant-based colors — saturated black, ivory, emerald and olive green, crimson, and plum — working coil upon coil through weeks of patient craftsmanship.

The high contrast gives this five-inch basket real presence: from a distance it reads as bold graphic art, up close the eyespots and stitch-work reveal themselves. Set it against light walls or pale wood where the black ground can anchor a shelf or console vignette. Completely one of a kind, it carries its weavers' hands in every stitch.


Details

Dimensions: Approx. 5″ diameter × 4″ H (13 × 10 cm)
Material: Werregue palm fiber, natural plant-based dyes
Origin: Handwoven in Darién Province, Panama by Wounaan artisans
Artist: Erta Piraza and Edith
Technique: hösig di coil weaving
Edition: One of one · SKU SPM-3680


Sourced directly from Wounaan weavers in Panama's Darién rainforest — selected in person by Jen on each sourcing trip, purchased at fair prices with no intermediaries.

Learn about Wounaan hösig di weaving →

$235.00
/
Shipping calculated at checkout.
  • Approx. 5″ diameter × 4″ H (13 × 10 cm)
  • One-of-a-kind basket
  • Handwoven in the Darién rainforest
  • 1000's of stitches over weeks, months, & years
Free Returns 14 Days
Artisan Made Direct from Community
Trusted Since 2000 25+ Years

Handwoven in Panama by

Wounaan Weavers of the Darién

No. of Artisans

Over 50-75+

Origin

Darién Rainforest, Panama


Fairly Made. Community Driven.

Every Wounaan basket is purchased directly from the artist at fair prices that support families and preserve tradition.

Deep in the rainforests of eastern Panama, Wounaan artisans create some of the most intricate handwoven baskets in the world. Using finely split palm fibers and an extraordinarily tight coiling technique, each basket is woven stitch by stitch into detailed geometric and nature-inspired designs.

Many pieces take months or even years to complete, making these remarkable Wounaan baskets among the most refined forms of artisan basketry produced today.

The Making

Inspired by the rainforest and by pre-Colombian body painting, each basket is a dialogue between tradition and the natural world. Weavers stitch with fine needles and the most supple fibers of the werregue and naguala palms—materials prepared, softened, and dyed with pigments drawn from seeds, roots, and leaves.

Months, and often years, go into a single piece, each coil revealing echoes of ancient pottery, wild plant life, and the patient rhythm of hand and thread.

Dyes Sourced from Nature

Saffron

Golden pigment from delicate threads

Trumpet Vine

Wild blossoms turned natural dye

Liana Vine

Gathered from the rainforest canopy.

FAQs

The Story of Authentic Wounaan Baskets

Handmade by the rural Wounaan tribe, each basket is more than an object—it is a living thread in an ancient tradition. For generations, Wounaan families of the Darién rainforest have practiced the intricate art of weaving, passing knowledge from elder to apprentice, palm frond to palm frond.

Every material is gathered from the rainforest itself. Palm fibers are cut, stripped, and dyed with pigments drawn from leaves, roots, seeds, and bark. Masks and baskets are both shaped with similar weaving techniques—tight coils and precise stitches that demand patience and vision. Even the carvings that accompany some works are drawn from the wood surrounding each artist’s village, connecting object to place in the most literal sense.

The result is art that is deeply rooted in its origin: vibrant, resilient, and bound to the natural rhythms of the forest. Each piece embodies not only the creative hand of the weaver but also the enduring spirit of the Darién itself.

Wounaan baskets are finely handwoven baskets created by the Wounaan people of eastern Panama, particularly in the rainforest regions of the Darién.

They are woven from chunga palm fiber that is harvested, split into very fine strands, and dyed before weaving. The extremely tight coil technique allows artisans to create intricate geometric patterns and animal motifs within the weave itself. Because each basket is made completely by hand, no two are ever exactly alike.

Wounaan baskets are known for having some of the finest weaving in the world. The stitches are incredibly tight and precise, allowing detailed designs to emerge within the basket itself. Many collectors and interior designers consider them museum-quality woven art, not simply decorative baskets. Each piece reflects the patience, skill, and creativity of the artisan who made it.

A single Wounaan basket can take weeks, months or even years to complete. The weaving is done coil by coil using extremely thin strands of chunga palm fiber, often forming thousands of stitches. Detailed designs require even more time and concentration.

Because of this slow and careful process, Wounaan baskets are valued as handmade works of art rather than mass-produced home decor.

Authentic Wounaan baskets have an exceptionally tight weave and remarkable detail in the pattern. When you look closely, you will notice the fine stitching and the subtle variations that come from hand weaving.

Genuine baskets are made from chunga palm fiber gathered in Panama’s rainforest and woven entirely by hand by Wounaan artisans. Those small differences from basket to basket are part of what makes each piece unique.

Each piece is handwoven over many months using natural fibers and plant-based dyes, reflecting the traditions of skilled artisans. To preserve the color and structure of your handwoven basket or woven art, display it away from direct sunlight or skylights, as prolonged UV exposure can fade natural dyes and weaken fibers over time.

In very dry climates, you may occasionally mist the inside lightly with distilled or non-chlorinated water, similar to caring for wicker or rattan. Gently blot away any excess with a paper towel to help maintain the fiber’s natural balance and long-term durability.

With proper care, artisan woven baskets made from natural materials can retain their beauty and strength for many years.

Free shipping within the continental US. Contact us for shipping outside the US at jen@woven.art, and we will offer options.

Free pre-paid returns with 14 days. Love it or return it with no obligation.

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