An intricately woven Japanese ikebana basket by 玉晃斎 Gyokukōsai (or Gyokkōsai). Very thin strips of bamboo have been twisted together to make cords. These have been woven through the main basket form in a criss-cross pattern. The body of the basket starts in a diamond shape at the base and becomes circular closer to the rim. The cordage twists continuously upward around a tall handle that arches in a moon-like circle.
Signed on the bottom by Gyokukōsai. Other examples of Gyokukōsai's baskets can be found in the Mary Griggs Burke Collection which has exhibited at Metropolitan Museum of Art and also in the Saint Louis Art Museum.

Age: Taisho Period (early 20th century)

Dimensions: 18 3/4" high x 10" wide x 8" wide