Portuguese handmade basketry

Portuguese basketry comes from several traditions and materials. Willow from Camacha (Madeira) and Gondomar, rush and bunho (a marsh reed) from the wetlands of Setúbal and Aveiro, palma and piteira (agave fibre) in the Algarve, wicker in the north. Each material calls for its own weave, and each weave gives a shape of its own, baskets for the olive harvest, sun hats, mats, fruit bowls, paneiros and balaios (deep field baskets). These are the basket makers who still gather the material, cure it, and weave by hand. Each piece takes from a few hours to several days depending on how complex it is.