Chinese Rattan Woven Basket

Deep basket of fine mesh, with a bright red foot and a ruffled rim.

This woven rattan basket is from China, and dates to the 20th century. Rattan is the flexible stem of a climbing palm, and across Asia it is split into strips and woven into baskets, furniture and containers. Photographed, a rounded bowl woven with tiny round perforations and bands of diagonal weave near the top. The rim is tightly wrapped, and a flaring red glossy foot supports it. The weave is dark brown and glossy, with some red under the surface. It is 12 inches wide, 12 deep and 7.5 high.

Airy work, glossy skin, and a very red base.