Red and black sawtooth Nyanza bottle basket styled in an interior
Tall Nyanza bottle basket with red and black sawtooth columns on cream, on white
Tall Nyanza bottle basket with red and black sawtooth columns, alternate angle on white
Bundles of wild sweetgrass resting on a coiled basket, the raw material of Rwandan weaving
Close-up of a Rwandan artisan's hands stitching the rim of a dark coiled basket with a needle
Red and black sawtooth Nyanza bottle basket styled in an interior
Tall Nyanza bottle basket with red and black sawtooth columns on cream, on white
Tall Nyanza bottle basket with red and black sawtooth columns, alternate angle on white
Bundles of wild sweetgrass resting on a coiled basket, the raw material of Rwandan weaving
Close-up of a Rwandan artisan's hands stitching the rim of a dark coiled basket with a needle

Scarlet Sawtooth Bottle - Handwoven Rwandan Nyanza Vessel

RWA-031

Handwoven in Rwanda |★★★★★

Scarlet Sawtooth

Rows of red and black sawteeth climb a cream ground on this two foot Nyanza bottle, precise as a printed textile. One of one.

The Story

Rows of red and black sawteeth climb the cream body in strict columns, precise as a printed textile but built one coil at a time. Up close the points resolve into hundreds of tiny stitched steps.

Women artisans of the Gahaya Links cooperative network coiled it entirely by hand from sisal and wild sweetgrass, the agaseke coil drawn up into a tall Nyanza bottle silhouette. Natural plant dyes throughout.

I met a Rwandan woman who works with Gahaya Links, and once I learned what the cooperative does for its thousands of weavers, women rebuilding after surviving the unimaginable, I was hooked. What the cooperative gives back to its villages and communities is why I stay.

Best where its verticals can be read in full: a console, a hearth, the floor beside a doorway. Pair it with the black and cream bottles from this shipment or let the red carry a corner alone.

Woven by Gahaya Links women’s cooperatives in Rwanda: more than 5,000 women weavers in 52 cooperatives across all 30 districts, reaching over 40,000 families.

Learn about the Rwandan basket tradition →

Details

Dimensions: Approx. 8″ W × 24″ H (20 × 61 cm)
Materials: Sisal, wild sweetgrass, natural plant dyes
Colors: Natural, crimson and black
Origin: Handwoven in Rwanda by Gahaya Links women’s cooperatives
Edition: One of one · SKU RWA-031

Care & Shipping

Care: Dust with a soft dry cloth; keep away from direct sunlight and moisture
Shipping: Free within the continental US · ships in 1–3 business days
Returns: 14-day returns in original condition

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$435.00
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Shipping calculated at checkout.
Free Returns 14 Days
Artisan Made Direct from Community
Trusted Since 2000 25+ Years

Handwoven in rwanda by

Gahaya Links

No. of Artisans

5,000 weavers across 52 cooperatives

Origin

Southern and Eastern Provinces of Rwanda


Fairly Made. Community Driven.

Each tall, sculptural basket is purchased directly from the cooperative at fair prices that support families, preserve tradition, and sustain local economies.

For over a thousand years in the hills of Rwanda, artisans have created extraordinary Rwandan baskets using traditional coiling techniques.

These tall handwoven baskets, once used for storage and ceremonial gifts, are now celebrated worldwide as sculptural artisan baskets and collectible works of woven art.

The Making

Every Gahaya basket is coiled by hand from sisal, raffia, and wild sweetgrass, softened and dyed with natural pigments before being shaped into striking forms. Bold geometric patterns and vivid color combinations set them apart, while whimsical tall-necked vessels with tapering tops reveal an almost sculptural, human presence.

For the women who weave them, these baskets represent stability and hope. For collectors, they are living works of art — vessels of resilience and timeless design.

Materials of the Weave

Raw sisal fiber

Hand-Dyed Sisal

The sisal is hand-dyed before it is wrapped

Hands weaving strands of fiber into a basket

Handwoven

Each strand is wrapped and stitched by hand by artisans

Bundles of sweetgrass beside a coiled basket

Sweetgrass Structure

Wild sweetgrass forms the coil. Sisal — from pounded Agave — is wrapped to create the pattern.

FAQs

The Story of Artisan Rwanda Baskets

Tall Rwandan baskets have long been symbols of peace, generosity, and womanhood. Traditionally given as gifts during weddings, births, and community celebrations, they represent care passed from hand to hand. To give a basket is to share abundance. To receive one is to be honored.

Each piece is woven by women artisans in rural Rwandan cooperatives, using locally gathered sweetgrass and hand-dyed sisal. The form is tall and sculptural, with a tight lid and narrow base, a shape rooted in centuries of tradition. The designs often reflect balance, unity, and protection, rendered in bold yet minimalist geometry.

Yes. Each basket is woven entirely by hand by women artisans in rural Rwanda using locally gathered sweetgrass and hand-dyed sisal. The techniques are passed from mothers to daughters and have been practiced for generations.

Because every artisan weaves a little differently, no two baskets are ever exactly the same. Each one is a true one-of-a-kind piece.

Traditional Rwandan baskets are made from sweetgrass and sisal fibers. The sweetgrass forms the structure of the basket, while strands of sisal are tightly wrapped around it to create the patterns and colors. These natural fibers give the baskets their strength, beautiful texture, and long life.

Tall baskets work beautifully as sculptural accents in a home. Many people place them on console tables, open shelving, or kitchen islands where their height and pattern can stand out. the tallest baskets set on their own to soften and highlight a corner.

They also look striking grouped with ceramics or other natural materials. Because each basket is handmade, it brings a warmth and individuality that mass-produced decor rarely has.

A finely woven basket can take many hours, sometimes days, even months and years, to complete. Every stitch is done by hand, using techniques that have been refined over generations. When you hold one, you are holding the time, skill, and cultural tradition of the artisan who made it.

That is why collectors often see handmade baskets not simply as decor, but as works of art.

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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