Burmese Rice Basket

Basket making is an ancient and humble craft, but in the hands of a skilled weaver a simple willow basket can become a truly beautiful work of art. This capacious 19th-century basket from Burma showcases the weaver's mastery with an array of woven textures. Reinforced by a square wooden base, the double layer basket features a twilled pattern on the interior and alternating twined patterns on the exterior. Any remaining gaps were then filled with lacquer to create a watertight seal and accentuate the patterning. Traces of painted Burmese script remain on the basket's sides. Originally used to measure and store rice, the basket remains in remarkable condition - a testament to its craftsmanship.