Last updated: September 2026. Prices and availability were checked on the day of writing.
Put one Ethiopian basket in a room and it becomes the thing people ask about. They are coiled by hand from natural grass, the colour of warm straw, and they have a visual weight that plastic storage and high street wicker never manage.
This guide covers what Ethiopian baskets actually are, how to tell a genuine one, how to use them room by room in a UK home, how to care for them, and where to buy one made by hand in Ethiopia.
What Ethiopian baskets are
Ethiopian baskets are coiled rather than woven over a frame. The maker wraps bundles of dried grass into a tight rope and stitches it round and round on itself, building the base, the walls and the lid one coil at a time. There are no machines involved. A medium basket takes days.
That coiling is what gives them their strength. The walls are dense and stiff, they hold their shape for years, and a well made lid sits snug on its basket without a gap.
In Ethiopia these are working objects: baskets for carrying bread, serving food, storing grain and keeping the household organised. The tall lidded baskets many people now use as decor come from that same tradition.
How to tell a genuine handmade Ethiopian basket
- Look at the coils. A hand coiled basket shows a continuous spiral from the centre of the base outwards, with tiny stitches holding each coil to the one below. Machine made "African style" baskets are usually woven over and under, not coiled.
- Expect small irregularities. The coils vary slightly in thickness and the shape is never perfectly round. That is the mark of the hand, not a fault.
- Check the handles. Where there are leather handles, they are cut and stitched or tied into the grass by hand. Glued or riveted handles are a warning sign.
- Ask where it was made. A genuine seller names the country and ideally the workshop. "Boho basket" with no origin usually means factory made elsewhere.
Ethiopian baskets for sale now
Every basket below is live on Sokofa, handmade in Addis Ababa by Noah's Weave from natural dry grass, and was checked on the day this guide was written.
Small Ethiopian Jewellery Basket, 50 GBP. A small lidded basket with no handles. The lid lifts straight off, which makes it a good jewellery or keepsake box for a dresser or bedside table.
Ethiopian Woven Serving Basket, 65 GBP. A small, shallow basket with leather handles, made for carrying bread, fruit or snacks to the table.
Ethiopian Grass Decor Basket, 95 GBP. A handled basket for display or light storage on a shelf or worktop.
Medium Ethiopian Woven Basket, 98 GBP. Two brown leather handles stitched flat against the grass rather than knotted, for a cleaner look and a more comfortable grip. A good size for plants, magazines or a market run.
Ethiopian Woven Storage Basket, 115 GBP. The leather handles are tied below the rim instead of at the top, which gives a deeper opening. Excellent for soft things like scarves, hats and throws.
Large Ethiopian Lidded Basket, 120 GBP. A large basket with a fitted lid and no handles. Blankets beside the sofa, toys in a child's room, or linen in a bedroom.
Large Ethiopian Laundry Basket, 140 GBP. A large lidded basket with a leather handle, sized for laundry or extra storage.
Sizes are given on each listing. If you need exact measurements for a particular shelf or alcove, ask the maker before ordering. You can see the full range in Made in Ethiopia or browse all handmade African crafts.
How to decorate with Ethiopian baskets, room by room
Living room. A large lidded basket beside the sofa is the classic use. It holds throws, spare cushions and toys, and it looks like a piece of furniture rather than a storage box. On open shelving, a small lidded basket adds texture between books, plants and ceramics. In summer, a cluster of baskets at different heights can fill an unused fireplace.
Bedroom. A small lidded basket on the bedside table keeps rings, earrings and the other end of day clutter out of sight. A large basket at the foot of the bed takes the extra blankets in summer and the extra pillows in winter. Two matching baskets either side of the bed give symmetry without matching furniture.
Kitchen. This is what the baskets were first made for. A handled serving basket carries bread to the table and keeps fruit on the worktop. A medium handled basket works as a shopping basket for the market or a carrier between the kitchen and the garden.
Hallway. A deep basket by the coat rack takes umbrellas, bags and dog leads. A small one on a console table catches keys and post.
The warm straw colour sits comfortably with the grey, white and navy that so many UK homes are built on, and it warms up a cool room without clashing. Baskets also pair naturally with other handmade pieces: carved wood, hand thrown ceramics, woven textiles and original African art.
How to care for an Ethiopian basket
Keep it dry. The grass is strong when its moisture is stable. Long spells in a damp room or a steamy bathroom can weaken it over time.
Reshape it with a little water. If a basket arrives slightly squashed from its journey, mist it lightly with clean water, press it back into shape by hand and let it dry. Grass becomes pliable when damp and holds the new shape as it dries.
Rotate it in sunlight. Strong direct sun can lighten the grass over time. If a basket sits by a sunny window, turn it every so often so it fades evenly.
Let the leather age. Leather handles darken with handling. That is normal and part of the character. Just do not overload a basket beyond the use it was made for.
Getting an Ethiopian basket delivered to the UK
Baskets are light but bulky, and couriers charge on the size of the parcel as well as its weight. That means a large lidded basket costs more to send than a small one, even though it weighs very little. On Sokofa the delivery cost for your address is shown at checkout before you pay, so you can compare sizes before you commit.
Buying from Sokofa
Sokofa is an online marketplace for independent African artisans and makers, most of them in Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya, with baskets coming directly from a workshop in Ethiopia. Every product is reviewed before it goes live, delivery is priced at checkout, and we deliver worldwide. If something arrives damaged, wrong or not as described, report it within 48 hours of delivery and it gets put right.
Frequently asked questions
What are Ethiopian baskets made from
Natural dried grass, coiled into a tight rope and stitched round and round by hand. Some have leather handles, which are cut and attached by hand.
How can I tell if an Ethiopian basket is handmade
Look for a continuous coil spiralling out from the centre of the base, small hand stitches holding each coil to the next, and slight irregularities in shape and thickness. Factory baskets are usually woven over and under and look perfectly uniform.
Where can I buy Ethiopian baskets in the UK
You can buy them directly from Ethiopian makers through Sokofa, which lists handmade baskets from Noah's Weave in Addis Ababa, from small lidded jewellery baskets at around 50 GBP to large lidded laundry baskets at around 140 GBP, with delivery to the UK.
How much does an Ethiopian basket cost
On Sokofa, a small lidded basket starts at around 50 GBP, medium handled baskets are around 95 to 115 GBP, and large lidded baskets are around 120 to 140 GBP. Delivery is added at checkout and depends on the size of the basket and your address.
How do I clean an Ethiopian basket
Dust it with a soft dry brush or cloth. If it gets marked, wipe gently with a barely damp cloth and let it dry fully in the air. Avoid soaking it or leaving it in a damp room.
Can Ethiopian baskets be used for laundry
Yes. The large lidded baskets are sturdy enough for laundry, blankets and toys. Keep them away from wet towels left for long periods, as sustained damp can weaken the grass.
