Examples of basketry can be found in all cultures. Regardless of the use of the finished basket, they always have been and are still to this day an expression of culture and art.

bas·ket

Pronunciation: 'bas-kit
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, probably from (assumed) Old North French baskot- akin to Old French baschoue wooden vessel; both from Latin bascauda kind of basin, of Celtic origin; akin to Middle Irish basc- necklace

Some people believe the history of baskets starts with Adam and Eve: In Paradise Eve learned to braid her hair, and in the same way she made a basket so she could transport fruit to the place where Adam and she slept.

While in British and American English one would say 'driving in rush hour traffic is no picnic', a Australian or New Zealander would say 'driving in rush hour traffic is a real picnic' these reversed idioms both suggesting a difficult task.

A classic Freudian motif is - one who loves baskets or boxes is trying to get in touch with their feminine side in order to find it, hide it, or put something into it. Boxes and baskets are like caves, symbolizing darkness, mystery, and woman.

Urban Legend:

While shopping for a clothes basket a housewife dies, it was concluded that she was checking the inside of a basket and a snake was lurking there, supposedly having been shipped in the basket from the Far East.