Chinese Hand Warmer Basket with Handle

Right now, a woven basket with a tall looping handle and a surprisingly neat waist.

This hand warmer basket with handle is from Shanxi Province, China, and dates to the early 20th century. It is rattan. Rattan is the cane of a climbing palm, and it is split and woven into light, flexible baskets in many parts of Asia. Framed simply, a rounded basket in warm brown strips, woven in a tight diagonal pattern at the base and a flatter plait near the rim. A tall arched handle wrapped in matching strips rises overhead. The inside shows a smooth, lighter lining. It is 8 inches high and 8.25 in diameter.

Carefully woven and quietly proud of every crossing strip.