Featured Basket Identification Help PLZ..

Debating whether to purchase these. Would help if I knew their origin but they are old. Oceanic? Thx in advance for whatever help can be offered.

 

I *think* they may be African. They look to have some age. And very dirty. I like the lines of them . Is that what they are asking ? I just wanted to say the more I really look at them the more I love them !The beadwork is gorgeous.

 

Wow,I have no idea,but they are very cool and very interesting and looks to have age. Beautiful detail. Personally I would definitely buy them if the price was acceptable

 

Did the seller tell you anything about them? Did you look inside to see if they showed any signs of use?

 

I think you are correct,well spotted!

 

Looks like it. Or maybe a chameleon?

 

I think the lid on the left is the only one original to the basket..

 

I have not seen, and cannot find, similar baskets anywhere. The design technique with the rope applique is interesting. But based on the general style and the materials used (cowries, the colors selected for the beads), one of my first impressions is that they might be from Cameroon. This might be supported by @Any Jewelry's suggestion that the animal on the largest basket could be a chameleon. They occur widely in Africa, and have symbolic meaning among many groups. Here is a crested chameleon from Cameroon -


https://www.chameleons.info/l/trioceros-cristatus-from-cameroon-second-generation-in-captivity/

The other region I considered is Papua New Guinea, but apparently chameleons are not found there.

 

Here is one that looks quite similar. Unfortunately, it does not provide any helpful information, identifying it only as "Vintage Large Tribal Hand Woven Lidded Food Basket Decorated with Shells / Beads" -


https://limassol.castle-auctions.co...7/buy-now-1st-june-to-8th-sept-2018-lot-172c/