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Japanese Wagumi Handled Bamboo Basket Ikebana

Offered by: Tishu

Description
Bold, rustic and with an earthy free spirit, this wagumi style flower basket with twisted handle (ikebana) was designed and woven to evoke a sense of serenity an humbleness during the tea ceremony. With a large and solid barrel shape that evokes a visual sense of weight and mass, the basket was woven with a tight twill plaiting for the interior layer, more natural and rustic bamboo strips were then woven with a loose and slightly irregular hexagonal plaiting to form an exterior veins-like layer, extending from the reinforced secondary top rim. Bundles of bamboo strips were twisted into ropes-like handle and inserted into the body, giving the whole piece a robust vitality. The base was woven in a tight hexagonal mat plaiting. Although not signed, this basket conveys a beauty achieved through a fine balance between free-spirit and constrains, certainly from the hands of a basketry master.
The wagumi style was found popular and specifically Japanese at the turn of the 20th century, a departure in style from the formal and finely woven Chinese styles. The basket was lacquered in a deep brown color. Sooted bamboo was used as the residues of smokes can be discerned. It retains the inner container for water made out of a bamboo trunk. Circa 1920s. Not signed.

More Information

Origin:	United States
Period:	1920-1949
Materials:	bamboo
Condition:	Good. General patina, color variation and surface wear, typical in antique basket, all as shown.
Creation Date:	1920s
Styles / Movements:	Bespoke, Asian, Traditional
Incollect Reference #:	362174

Dimensions

H.	16 in;	Diam.	13 in;
H.	40.64 cm;	Diam.	33.02 cm;

Message from Seller:

Our collection ranges from Neolithic Art to 20th century collectible art and design. It spans 5000 thousand years of history and crosses many civilizations and cultures. Our aesthetic strongholds are Mid-century studio design, Japanese and Korean art, Asian Textile Art and Contemporary Aboriginal Art. The diversity is united behind our singular vision to seek for timeless beauty and driven purely by our passion