Chumash baskets are greatly admired for their history and beauty. Beginning with the European explorers to Southern California area of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura Counties. The range stretched inward up to the western edge of the San Joaquin Valley.

Chumash baskets were traded for and purchased. Many of which were taken by ships to the East Coast and back to Europe. The Chumash high quality baskets date from 1790-1800s. Chumash baskets ceased to be produced not long after 1900.

The Chumash used methods known as twining and coiling in their basketry. The baskets were traditionally in red and black with white sumac or tan to golden juncus backgrounds. It was very common for the designs to have a band about its own width from the top, (usually 1 inch).