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Gullah Sweetgrass Baskets

Gullah sweetgrass baskets are hand coiled in coastal South Carolina. Buy from the makers when you can.

Updated Oct 27, 2026. Edited by: Ilyass Ben Hakim.

Where to buy

Weavers sell from roadside stands on Highway 17 North, Mount Pleasant. Others sell daily at the Charleston City Market.

The Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Pavilion at Memorial Waterfront Park also hosts makers. A sweetgrass festival is held each June.

Professional insight

Folk art buyers ask who wove it and prefer signed pieces.

Tight, even coils mean careful hand work.
Look for palmetto strips binding each coil row.
Pine needle and bulrush accents are traditional.
Imported coiled baskets often use other grasses.

Check the label

Maker name or signature on the base or a tag.
Made in South Carolina stated by the seller.
Materials listed: sweetgrass, palmetto, pine needle, bulrush.
Size in inches across and tall.
Real photos of the base and coil pattern.
Seller can name the weaver.

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Gullah basket facts

Region: South Carolina Lowcountry
Technique: Hand coiling
Main fibers: Sweetgrass and palmetto

The craft came with enslaved West Africans. Gullah Geechee families have passed it down for generations.

Red flags

Very low prices for large baskets.
No maker name and no origin details.
Plastic or wire showing between coils.
Listings that only say African style basket.

Care

Dust with a soft dry brush.
Keep out of standing water and damp places.
Avoid hot direct sun, which dries the grass.
Use a liner for food; do not wash with soap.

Common questions

Why are sweetgrass baskets costly?: A large basket can take weeks to coil by hand.
Can I order one online?: Some weavers sell online. Confirm the maker's name first.
Is it the same as a Gullah basket?: Yes. Gullah sweetgrass basket is the usual name for the craft.
Can I bargain at the stands?: Ask politely. Prices reflect long hand work.