Tall column basket with orange and black striped patterns in a bright room with textiles
Tall cylindrical woven basket with orange, cream and black striping on white
Tall striped column basket standing in a sunlit mid-century living room
Rwanda Basket Making Process
Rwanda Artisans
Rwanda artisan hands weaving
Tall column basket with orange and black striped patterns in a bright room with textiles
Tall cylindrical woven basket with orange, cream and black striping on white
Tall striped column basket standing in a sunlit mid-century living room
Rwanda Basket Making Process
Rwanda Artisans
Rwanda artisan hands weaving

Shadow Current Tower - Large Decorative Basket

RWA-026

Handwoven in Rwanda |★★★★★

A Current Running Up the Room

The Shadow Current Tower is a tall Rwandan basket that reads as sculpture first. Horizontal bands of deep charcoal and natural fiber run up its silhouette like a slow current: rhythm without noise. It was woven by women artisans in Rwanda’s Southern and Eastern Provinces, where layered banding carries meanings of unity and protection.

The construction is double-layered coilwork in sweetgrass and hand-dyed sisal, which is what lets a piece sixty-three inches tall stand this straight. Each charcoal band is dyed fiber, not paint, and each one has to land level all the way around. One of one.

Details

Dimensions: 10″ W × 63″ H
Materials: Sweetgrass, hand-dyed sisal
Origin: Handwoven in Rwanda by women artisans in Southern and Eastern Provinces
SKU: RWA-026
Style: Tall sculptural form with horizontal charcoal and natural fiber bands
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


woven.art works directly with women’s weaving cooperatives across Rwanda’s Southern and Eastern Provinces, ensuring fair compensation that supports artisan livelihoods and preserves traditional knowledge passed through generations.

Learn about the tall Rwandan basket tradition →

$1,665.00
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Shipping calculated at checkout.
  • Approx. 10″ diameter × 63″ H (25 × 160 cm)
  • One-of-a-kind handwoven basket
  • 1000's of stitches over months
  • Traditional Rwandan Agaseke weaving
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

Hand-Dyed Sisal

Fine strands of sisal are wrapped tightly around the sweetgrass core

Handwoven

Each strand is wrapped and stitched by hand by artisans

Sweetgrass Structure

Harvested locally and dried in the sun

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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