Chinese Wood Box

A tall cylinder wound with fine ribs, dressed in a deep cherry gloss.

This lacquered bamboo box is from China, and dates to the 20th century. Bamboo is a fast-growing grass that has been used in China for centuries to make containers, furniture, utensils and baskets of many kinds. A straight-sided tube with a wide open mouth and a small chip at the rim. Dozens of closely spaced ribs wrap the whole body. The finish is a deep red that darkens toward the foot, with a soft sheen along each ridge. It is 9.75 inches high and 3.25 in diameter.

Disciplined in every ring, like a very tidy spring.