Large utilitarian Iroquois baskets have a long history, and the Mohawk tradition is especially noted for the invention and refinement of fancy forms. For makers at Akwesasne, including Mary Leaf, these baskets offered a place for display of skill while supporting continuity of practice and a dependable livelihood.

The strawberry basket began first, as one might suspect, as a basket for holding fruit. As the tourist market expanded, the form became more literal, with the body built to swell like the titular fruit and the crown gathered into leaves, coloured by dyed ash splints.

What is most charming and impressive about the present work is its scale. In miniature, split ash becomes extremely exacting. The splints are elastic and naturally seek a straight line, yet here they are forced into tight curves without fracture or kinking. At this scale there is no disguise for a wavering width, a loose crossing, or an uneven pull. Each turn must be set with exact tension so the wall keeps its line and the surface remains clean. Even the finishing is more demanding, since the ends are shorter and must be hidden with greater precision.