Tintsaba is recognized worldwide for their refined high quality sisal basketry

Since its inception in 1985, Tintsaba has trained and worked with upwards of 1000 women in rural eSwatini (formerly Swaziland), to create exquisite baskets hand woven of Sisal, a natural and sustainable material. 

Tintsaba was created in part to help rural emaSwazi women achieve personal and financial independence. 

The sisal used to create the baskets is a non native plant to eSwatini.  It is harvested utilizing methods that create minimal environmental impact and processed with non-hazardous dyes. The water used to dye the fabrics is recycled and the wood used to provide the fuel for the process is an alien invasive species. 

Tintsaba employs a traditional weaving technique called coiled weave; it is a highly intricate and time consuming process, and a 31cm Gallery Grade basket could take upwards of 50 or more hours to produce.  

The baskets are subjected to a grading system.  New crafters would begin with smaller market grade baskets, and as their skills and techniques improve, work their way up to product gallery grade baskets. Only the most talented and highly skilled weavers can achieve Master Weaver Status.  Throughout the years, Tintsaba has seen 20 crafters achieve the status of Master Weaver.

Each basket comes with a tag indicating the name of the artisan who created it, and a sisal loop is added so the baskets can easily displayed on the wall.

Single tone baskets work well on their own, but work beautifully in a grouping with two tone or multi colour baskets.

Details:

• Single tone baskets fall into the following categories:

• Market Grade: 16cm: Single colour with slight weaving imperfections

• Craft Grade: 16cm: Two or more colours with slight weaving imperfections or design flaws

• Sizes:

• Small:  16cm diameter x 5cm high

• Medium: 22cm diameter x 8cm high

• Large:  31 cm diameter x 10cm high