Kuba Rattan Lidded Basket

A basket with a lid that rises like a small hill.

Kuba weavers of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central Africa, wove this lidded basket in rattan in the 20th century. Baskets of this kind are commonly used to hold small possessions and foodstuffs. The lid is domed and square-cornered, woven in a tight herringbone pattern, and rimmed with a cane hoop. The body is darker, with the same fine plaiting. The rattan has aged to a deep chestnut brown.

About ten inches wide. Neat enough to keep what matters, handsome enough to leave out.