The art of plaiting has become very popular, both geographically, and historical. Already the Nomads, collectors and hunters have been using wicker products since ancient times. Thus, basketry, along with pottery, is one of the oldest crafts in the world. Although most of the weaving facilities of that time has not survived to the present day, however, several discoveries were made in peat areas during archaeological excavations, carried out there in order to discover and understand the prehistoric habitats built on stilts. There are decorative motifs and wicker prints on clay products from that time, which testify to this, that basketry was already known in the Paleolithic era. Now it is also known, that the Babylonians and Chaldeans also practiced the art of weaving for cult purposes. However, six thousand years have passed since then. According to Roman writers Pliny and Cato, the Romans greatly developed the cultivation of willow, they created elaborate plaiting products and used wicker in the cultivation of vines to bind shoots. You can already see wicker furniture in the tombstone paintings from the time of the migration of peoples. Baskets at least five thousand years old have been preserved in the tombs of the rulers of Egypt. However, in the Nile region, one can still find baskets made in a similar way. In wild tribes, isolated from civilization, we can also observe some techniques, perhaps used by our ancestors. In the past, however, people used only materials from their own region. In Europe, wicker was and still is an endemic material. Apart from fences, furniture was made of it, baskets, coffins, Sieves, traps and pots for catching fish. Dowsers looking for water used, among other things, a split willow branch. From the Middle Ages to the Second World War, unfortunately, wicker was also used for military operations. At that time, for example, shields were made of it, defense devices and baskets for transport.
In non-military terms, various baskets were made of it, used in rural and urban farms, for example bread baskets, poultry, eggs, cereal, food, and also baskets for carrying babies. Wicker was most intensively used for the production of baskets. However, in times gone by, basketball players, just like the brushmakers, throwers, charcoal burners, rake artisans, etc., they were representatives of crafts not associated with guilds. That is why their profession was not recognized at the time, and the income it yielded was barely sufficient to provide subsistence. This skill, as well as the profession almost disappeared.
In Europe, the willow plays a significant role in the songs, poems, legends and customs of bygone times.
Until now, the term "give someone a trash can" is often used” regarding the rejection of a devotee. Many places and names indicate a wide distribution, as well as the use of willow. We meet, for example, such names, like Wierzbowski, Wierzbowiecki and Wierzbiński and the names of the places: Wierzbno, Wierzbowo, Wierzbica and Wierzbowice.
Historical linguistics points to the old origins of this craft technique. The Indo-German plectan element became the basis for the Latin word plectere and the ancient Greek pekein. We have a form in Polish, while in German the related form flechten. Let us also pay attention, that the German Wand is derived from the Gothic word wandus, denoting the wall. Most of the walls were originally woven. Ethnology knows countless variants of woven houses around the world, from a wide variety of plants and materials. The same variety and a creative approach characterize the weaving handicraft, as well as woven products.