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Shallow oval bamboo basket with inverted U-shaped handle used for Moribana style Ikebana flower arranging. Hexagonal woven narrow bamboo strips across the bottom and extending up the short sides. Around the top edge is a double braided rim which is added for decoration and strength. The bottom is supported with one long tapered strip which is bent and inserted into the basket at either side. Crossing this bar are three shorter tapered strips which are inserted at the bottom edge of the basket. Four corners on the basket bottom are created by four tapered strips which are bent and inserted into the hexagonal weave. The handle is formed from three main strips of bamboo which are fastened together at the top by light colored bamboo strips in the shape of a knot. Three and a half inches down the side is another light colored wrapping which holds the three strips together; the matching wrapping on the other side is missing. The three strips separate and are attached to the sides of the basket. They are inserted through the basket weave and bent back and held in place with another bamboo strip which is wrapped around the handle and the basket sides.

1997.030.206