Seagrass Basket – A Popular Choice

Seagrass basket and it’s unique style of weaving dates back to the end of 17th century. It is an African American art form that has been carried on for generations of unique waving skills. At the end of the 17th century the African slaves in South Carolina State of America started weaving baskets and boxes using their traditional weaving skills with seagrass. Seagrass made a much better material for weaving baskets and afterwards the circular seagrass baskets were being used for winnowing rice. The circular rice winnowing baskets came to be known as fanners and even today these fanners made of seagrass fanners are used in many countries.


Today’s seagrass baskets are made with the same method of weaving, but with time there has been certain improvement in the weaving pattern and techniques. Previously when the Africans used to weave, they used simpler techniques. With improved techniques today’s seagrass basket look a lot nicer. People use these baskets of various shapes and sizes for decorations as well apart from usages. Nowadays seagrass baskets are in great demand among many countries in the world.


There has been a growing demand of decorative storage basket, laundry basket and different other baskets from all around the world. To meet this huge demand production has been commercialized using the Indonesian rattan weaving techniques in the seagrass basket. Rattan weaving is lightweight, durable and flexible like seagrass.


Seagrass baskets are quite useful and it should be considered seriously. The only thing that needs to be taken care of is that, it should be kept in a dry place. Seagrass basket is available in stylish designs, colors and shapes. While you can conveniently use them as laundry basket or storing magazines or papers, it is almost maintenance free. Nowadays seagrass furniture is also available in the market. Things like shoe racks, file racks, storage cabinets are also available in the market that are made of seagrass. Home appliances like saucepan set, plates, mats and bowls are also made from seagrass.


Unlike the wicker basket and willow basket seagrass basket are very lightweight and quite flexible. Seagrass baskets last for years and it does not change color or get stained. So it is very easy to maintain them as well. An occasional dusting with a soft nylon brush will help the baskets to remain new as ever for years to come.


Last but not the least, the only thing that needs to be taken care of is to keep these baskets away from the excessive moisture or water which may damage the baskets. Seagrass baskets can be used quite frequently as they are quite durable. Most of the seagrass baskets come from Indonesia. Dried fibres of seagrass are woven in a criss-cross manner to improve durability. All through its life seagrass remain under the sea in a different environment, totally submerged in water. After it is taken out, it is dried completely before making it into the material for weaving baskets.