Sofia Månsson, Helena Åberg
People have been making and using baskets for thousands of years, and basket-making is spread in most places around the world. As an object, baskets combine materials, techniques, design and function. All around the world, techniques and functions are similar, but material and design usually vary. Sweden’s basket-making tradition is rich; this is documented by museum collections, varied in terms of material thanks to the many climatic zones within the country from north to south. And although baskets are used in Swedish households for different purposes even today, the number of skilled producers is falling. This part of the reason why the question is now arising as to how to preserve the Swedish basket-making tradition for the future.