Stunning dark colours and patina.  A pop of original pale rattan coming through the weaving, given a lovely patina.  A fab pop of yellow with the caligraphy - beautiful.
 
Steamed bentwood handles which interlock on both sides and in superb condition for its age.
 
Large enough for storage around the home adding a wabi sabi feel to any corner or space.
 
Orignally these baskets were used to gather in rice from the fields and this one probably dates back to the mid to late 19th Century.  In order for a basket to be serviceable and last a long time, the weaving work had to be done masterfully by skilled artisans. Only the finest examples are found today since the other ones did not survive.