Spiked Basket with Wrapped Handles - Circle of Texture & Tension – Enkito e Enkai (Step of Illumination).

Spiked Basket with Wrapped Handles - Circle of Texture & Tension – Enkito e Enkai (Step of Illumination).

More than a basket—this piece is a woven invocation of contrast, containment, and ceremonial breath.

Introducing the Enkito e Enkai Circle of Texture & Tension: a handcrafted vessel made from overlapping leaf segments, creating a spiked, tactile surface that rises into a densely packed crown. Two curved handles, wrapped in vibrant orange material, pierce the natural weave with a bold gesture of utility and visual rhythm. Set against a corrugated metal wall and watched over by a lion motif, this basket transforms fiber into storytelling and form into chant.

Artisan Connection:

Handwoven by cooperatives in Nyeri, Kenya, this basket blends Kikuyu hosting geometry with Maasai ceremonial symbolism. The spiked texture evokes protection and movement, while the orange handles suggest tension, readiness, and sacred grip. Each piece is shaped with intention—offering containment, rhythm, and cultural continuity.

Symbolism in Material & Form:

• Spiked leaf texture: Protection, breath, and ancestral rhythm.

• Orange-wrapped handles: Tension, grip, and ceremonial readiness.

• Smooth lower weave: Grounding, containment, and sacred pause.

• Lion motif backdrop: Strength, guardianship, and cultural echo.

• Natural fibers: Earth, resilience, and artisan pride.

Features & Benefits:

• Natural materials: Palm leaf, sisal, baobab fiber, raffia, cotton.

• Functional styling: Ideal for boutique interiors, gifting rituals, or ceremonial hosting.

• Culturally rooted craftsmanship: Each piece tells a story.

• Sculptural presence: Display as centerpiece or utility vessel.

Product Details:

• Basket Height: Approx. 45 cm.

• Handle Span: Approx. 30 cm.

• Materials: Palm leaf, sisal, baobab fiber, raffia, cotton.

• Care Instructions: Keep dry. Dust gently. Avoid direct sunlight.

Contain with contrast. Grip with rhythm. Support an artisan.

Add the Circle of Texture & Tension to your space and carry the spirit of Kenyan craftsmanship into every breath and belonging.