You can recognize a basket. And you most certainly can see the workmanship that went into creating it. But can you recognize its materials? What will you say when a visitor to your home exclaims "What a lovely basket!" and then inquires "What is it made from?"

Okay, you'll also hear a lot of "Did you make it yourself?" and "Where did you get it?" But those two answers always will glide off your tongue, even if the answer to the later question is only "It was a gift."
But from what is that beautiful basket made?
One way to learn the answer is simply to ask the person who sold it to you. But why not cull some knowledge on your own about this gorgeous piece of artistry you're using in your home, even if it's only to soothe your own curiosity?
Many baskets are made of natural materials (perhaps things found in your own backyard) while others are made with manufactured materials such as metal or plastic. Some baskets are a combination of traditional and synthetic fibers. Below I've listed some common basket raw materials, along with trivia, brief descriptions or tips for recognizing materials. Naturally, I couldn't list everything because almost any material with which you can weave or coil can be used to make a basket----and that's a growing list, partly defined by the artisan's creativity and talent.
Common basketry materials:
Bamboo is a popular woody appearing basket material. It's from the grass family. It's abundant in China and certain areas of East Asia.
Cane may be obtained from the flexible outer bark of the stem of rattan plants and then split for use in wickerwork, chair seats and baskets.
Coconut Leaves, from the coco palm tree, are a flexible material used in forming baskets.
Hardwoods (Ash, Oak, Poplar) are cut into splints, or flat thin strips, and then soaked in water to flexibility for weaving.
Raffia is fiber from raffia palm leaves. It's soft and pliable but strong. It's torn into thin strips. Many stores sell it.
Rattan has a solid core. It grows in Southeast Asia. It's from the palm family. (It has some resemblance to bamboo.)
Reed is actually a term for more than one type of material. It often refers to rattan core or various plants from the grass family.
Rope can be formed using natural fibers such as Manila hemp and sisal hemp or with synthetic fibers such as nylon and polyester.
Straw is dried stalks of threshed grains, such as wheat or barley.
Wire is made from metal. And you also will hear grapevine, palm leaf, paper, pine needles, plastic, wicker, willow and wood chip. In general, the terms bark, branches, grass, twigs and vines are often heard in basketry. Another thing to realize is that a single basket can be comprised of multiple materials.