Petrified Sewing Basket

Copied Lincoln Seitzman, Petrified Sewing Basket, 1995, cherry, wenge, and imbuia, 6 7⁄8 x 12 7⁄8 in. diam. (17.5 x 32.8 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Fleur and Charles Bresler in honor of Kenneth R. Trapp, curator-in-charge of the Renwick Gallery (1995−−2003), 2003.60.54A-B

Artwork Details

Title
Petrified Sewing Basket
Artist
Date
1995
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
6 7⁄8 x 12 7⁄8 in. diam. (17.5 x 32.8 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Fleur and Charles Bresler in honor of Kenneth R. Trapp, curator-in-charge of the Renwick Gallery (1995−−2003)
Mediums
Mediums Description
cherry, wenge, and imbuia
Classifications
Object Number
2003.60.54A-B
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/2003.60.54A-B

Artwork Description

Lincoln Seitzman creates his "petrified" boxes from hundreds of sections of solid wood that he pieces together and turns on a lathe. Here, he arranged sections of pale cherry, dark wenge, and reddish imbuia wood to create a pattern of zigzag lines that evokes woven fibers. Many of Seitzman's geometric constructions resemble Southwest Indian baskets, and he hopes that they capture the "strength, discipline and love of nature" that he sees in traditional Native American designs.