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© All rights reserved
© Cristina Fonseca
© Cristina Fonseca
© Cristina Fonseca
© All rights reserved

Cristina Fonseca

  • Basketweaver
  • Sintra, Portugal
  • Master Artisan
Cristina Fonseca Basketweaver
© All rights reserved

The indigenous weaver

  • • Cristina was attracted to basketry for its natural beauty
  • • She uses only native fibres found near to the Sintra hills
  • • Her pieces express her way of live and surrounding nature

Nestled between the lush Sintra hills and striking Atlantic Ocean, Cristina Fonseca could not see herself living or working elsewhere. Attracted to basketry in 1984, it quickly became more than a profession but rather a way of life. “I learned mainly by observing other basket makers but also from reading and experimenting." She uses local wood and fibres, some of which she harvests herself. “I create organic, asymmetrical forms without edges or angles." Her work gained visibility through the AgriCultura Lusitana project, as one of the artisans invited by the agency for the development of Schist Villages (ADXTUR), to create objects inspired by Portuguese territorial culture to be shown at Eunique 2015 in Germany and at Lisbon’s Museu de Arte Popular in 2018.

Read the full interview

Works

  • © Cristina Fonseca
  • © Cristina Fonseca
  • © Cristina Fonseca
  • © Cristina Fonseca
  • © Cristina Fonseca
Photo: © Cristina Fonseca
Rush Lampshade

This lampshade is handwoven using traditional basketry techniques from rush fibre. The lampshade can be made is various sizes and shapes.

Height 35 cm
Diameter 40 cm

Photo: © Cristina Fonseca
Box

This box is handcrafted from a combination of reed and split chestnut wood using traditional basketry techniques. The basket, both decorative and functional, can be made is various shapes and sizes.

Height 30 cm
Diameter 25 cm

Photo: © Cristina Fonseca
Light Cocoon

This lamp has been handcrafted using traditional basketry techniques. Cristina Fonseca combines a lampshade, handwoven from reed, with the branches of a cork tree creating a natural wood lamp. The lamp can be made is various shapes and sizes.

Length 40 cm
Width 25 cm
Height 70 cm

Photo: © Cristina Fonseca
Barn Basket

This box is handcrafted from reed using traditional basketry techniques. The basket, both decorative and functional, can be made is various shapes and sizes.

Height 30 cm
Diameter 45 cm

Photo: © Cristina Fonseca
Forest Basket

This oval basket is handcrafted from reed using traditional basketry techniques. A branch of camellia wood is placed in and through the basket. The basket, both decorative and functional, can be made is various shapes and sizes.

Height 10 cm

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