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Chinese-style flower basket
Chinese-style flower basket

Chinese-style flower basket

Artist (Japanese, 1910 - 2000)
Place of OriginSakai, Osaka prefecture, Japan
Dateapprox. 1950-1991
CultureJapanese
MaterialsBamboo (madake variety) and rattan; twill plaiting and square plaiting
DimensionsH. 22 1/4 in x W. 10 1/4 in x D. 7 in, H. 56.5 cm x W. 26 cm x D. 17.8 cm
Credit LineLloyd Cotsen Japanese Bamboo Basket Collection
Object number2006.3.557
DepartmentJapanese Art
ClassificationsDecorative Arts
On View
Not on view
SignedChikuunsai korewo tsukuru
More Information

Many artists from Osaka in the Kansai region specialized in making copies of intricately plaited Chinese baskets. These baskets are sometimes called "literati baskets" (bunjin kago). Until about the middle of the 1800s, these were not signed—perhaps to fudge the distinction between domestic baskets and the more expensive imported baskets.

Tanabe Chikuunsai II, who made this basket, comes from a family of artists well known for making Chinese-style baskets—and signing their works.