A basket is a container which is traditionally constructed from stiff fibres, which can be made from a range of materials, including wood splints, runners, and cane.   While most baskets are made from plant materials, other materials such as horsehair, baleen, or telephone wire can be used.  Baskets are woven by hand and while some are fitted with a lid, others are left open.

The plant life available in a region affects the choice of material, which in turn influences the weaving technique. Rattan and other members of the Arecaceae or palm tree family, the thin grasses of temperate regions, and broad-leaved tropical bromeliads each require a different method of twisting and braiding to be made into a basket.   The practice of basket making has evolved into an art.   Artistic freedom allows basket makers a wide choice of colors, materials, sizes, patterns, and details.