Origin of basket

I was wondering if anyone might know the origin of this basket? Thank you for any info

 

funny....looks like a Lombok basket , with Chinese additions to the lid.....

at first sight , that is......

@2manybooks
@Taupou

 

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/26630936825...zRVydIdkk4d/xBDgWcsfsWHT7pO9|tkp:BFBM4s6_o9tk

but , I'll stick with vintage Chinese.......!!!

 

Chinese. Missing its round Peking glass handle. We had one. My grandmother told me they were used as packaging for gift chocolates.

Debora

 

That is so interesting.

 

My grandmother wasn't fanciful but... They're commonly called sewing baskets.

Debora

 

Chinese "sewing basket" for sure. They were probably made for something else, but they always seem to turn up here with thread and sewing bits in them here. I've found a few in estate sales and they're either empty or full of needles, thread and small scissors.

 

Most Chinese sewing baskets I have seen are woven rather than coiled, like this one -



But some were made by coiling. According to Betty-Lou Mukerji's book, Chinese Sewing Baskets, the baskets were shipped over without decorations. The beads and tassels were added either by the shops that imported the baskets, or by the women who purchased them. The decorations could be bought at shops in the various "Chinatown" markets.

 

I've always liked this style of single rod coiling...
bet it's hard as rock !!

 

These Chinese baskets do not seem to be particularly well documented, Mukerji's book being the only one I am aware of. She refers to the coiled baskets as "willow", but based on the photos I have seen this is not correct. They appear to be rattan. I suspect the coiled baskets and the woven ones came from different regions of China.

I did find this coiled one described as "hand made in Vietnam" -
https://www.goantiques.com/coiled-grass-basket-2027826

 

of that description....

Coiled Basket with Wood Tassels Hand Made in Vietnam. It is made with grasses and smoked bamboo. The smoke gives it a darker color. I have used this as a sewing basket for nearly 20 years.

the only thing I believe is that they did use it as a sewing basket....

 

but even I'm not 100% sure it's Chinese.......

 

I have one of woven bamboo rather than coiled packed away somewhere, my Mom, born in 1925, said it was like one in her home as a child...

~Cheryl

 

Thanks everyone!