Featured Need help identifying a possibly Japanese basket

Good day everyone,
I have been browsing this forum for a long time but this is my first post here.

My wife's grand-mother died last year (106 years old) and we needed to sort the many objects accumulated by her grand-parents over the course of the lives. One of the object that caught my attention was this basket. I fell under the charm of its complex weaving pattern and we decided to bring it home with us to America.

A few weeks ago, I bought a book about Ikebana Flower arrangements and noticed that some of the basket in the book ressembles the one I have. And I am starting to wonder if this is a Japanese basket?

Can anyone help me identify the country of origin, the era and/or the name of the artist?

I noticed a mark under the basket and realized it might be the name of the artist who crafted this amazing object. The basket is about 24 inches tall (including the handle).
There is a smaller Bamboo container inside the basket.

Any help would be appreciated. I can take more photos if necessary.

 

I don't know anything about it, but it does look beautifully made. I'd guess that Japan is very probable for the origin.

 

Can see why you brought it home! Such a handsome piece.

Great pictures. Since you offered to take more photos, it might be helpful to have one additional close up photo of what might be a signature on the base.

 

LOOK at the GORGEOUS! WORK in it!!!!!!!!!!! Wish I could help, but will wait and see what others say!!!

 

Very nice Japanese basket with some good age to it. Very fine split bamboo work. Rarely see such fine work. I am no expert but think this is one worth having someone who is take a look.

 

A major treasure...stunning craft!
Thanks for sharing, Bathalon!

 

Simply stunning! and yes, Japanese.

To learn more about such basketry I can recommend:
Masters of Bamboo: Artistic Lineages in the Lloyd Cotsen Japanese Basket Collection. Melissa Rinne & Koichiro Okada. Asian Art Museum, 2007.
ISBN: 0939117401

It includes a catalog of artists' signatures.

 

Amazing artistry-bless Grandma.
PS-Ditto,better closeup photo of the chop mark on the base.

 

So, u bin holding out on us , eh ??
waiting for the right moment to strike !!!!!

It's stunning....in mfg , size, and wow.....condition !!!!!!!

If you keep it to honour her memory....... protect it !
If not...... an Ikebana basket expert will be required .
It's a standout !! Real masters work...
& these can go for $$$$........( I haven't priced them in a long time....so...grain of salt )

sorry for your loss.......but Granny had a good eye !!!

 

Good afternoon everyone, Thank you SO much for your insightful replies. It also feels good to know that I'm not the only person who fell in love with this basket.

Here are more photos that I took with my iphone, I can take more photos tonite if you need to see any details.

I realize by looking at the photos that the basket is dustier than I thought, I did not dare cleaning it, Id rather keep the dust than mess the patina.

 

And here is a photo of the Bamboo container that was hidden inside the Basket when I discovered it.

 

Thank you SO MUCH!!!
I will try to buy it online or find it at the library.

UPDATE: I just bought it online and I am looking forward to drool over images of bamboo baskets.

 

Wow,a truly beautiful thing. Lucky you are to own it!

 

A soft paintbrush will get a lot of the dust off without harming the basket. It is lovely!

 

That is a terrific idea! Thank you!
I will go to the Art store tomorrow to buy their softest paintbrush.

 

keeping the basket dust free, will not interfere with patina....

 

sumptuous .......... art in basket form !

 

This is EXACTLY what I thought. I know nothing about Antiques but this definitely felt like a work of art.

 

Awesome basket!
I would find shelf space for that for sure.
Mikey

 

Stunning basket, perfect, and true artistry. It looks Meiji period to my inexpert eyes.

It holds the water for the flowers. These bamboo containers are sometimes divorced from their basket, but you have a complete ikebana basket set.