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Metal carp-shaped flower holder stored in basket. (A) Cast metal gold colored carp which stands on two front fins and a back fin with a tail that curves towards the front. It is hollow and has a hole for the mouth. There are five holes in the upper back which have steel insertions with smaller holes that hold the flowers. The center one is round and the other four are semicircular. On the bottom a patent number "109902" and "Japan" are cast in raised lettering. There is a hole in the bottom of the tail. A brown and white pamphlet is attached with a red ribbon and reads, "An authentic and exact reproduction of ancient Korean flower frogs 16th century" and gives an introduction to flower arrangement in English. (B) Rectangular basket with attached lid. Split reed woven in plain weave on the lid and bottom and twill weave on the sides. A fastender made from twisted grass is broken. A read loop is attached to the front of the basket. On the bottom is a blue and white sticker with the word "Japan" printed in white letters. The basket is filled with straw which could possibly be wood shavings.

1997.030.122