Burled Basket

This basket from Northern China is made of burled wood, which has been respected by Chinese artists, poets and calligraphers for its unusual grains and forms for thousands of years. Many scholars appreciated rustic, gnarled wood because it brought to mind the ancient trees that in Chinese art symbolized the wisdom of great sages. This burled basket has a wonderful sculptural shape and well-worn, warmly patinated surface that calls to be touched.