Traditional Chinese Wedding Basket
Decorative Art, Woven Basketry / Tiered Food Carrier • Unidentified artisan, likely from Southern China (Fujian or Guangdong provinces)
Style & Movement
Traditional Chinese Folk Art
Medium & Technique
Hand-woven bamboo and rattan, possible application of lacquer or stain, with painted floral and auspicious motifs.
Creation Period
Early to mid-20th Century (Republic Period to early People's Republic)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 18-24 inches in height; cylindrical vertical format with arched handle.
Subject Description
A three-tiered stackable basket (plus lid) held within a rigid bentwood frame/handle. Features painted floral sprays and scrolling cloud or ruyi patterns on the lid. Traditionally used for transporting gifts, food, or dowry items during marriage ceremonies.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good; shows significant age-related patina, some fraying of the weave, and fading of the pigment/lacquer.
Estimated Market Value
$150 - $350 USD
Auction Estimate
$100 - $250 USD
Provenance History
Likely acquired as a souvenir or trade item in East Asia mid-century; now part of a private domestic collection evidenced by the decorative setting.
Art Historical Significance
A representative example of Chinese utilitarian folk craft, reflecting social customs surrounding gift-giving and matrimonial rituals in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Notable Features
Features a domed lid with distinct hand-painted iconography and a sturdy bent-bamboo handle construction typical of Jiangnan or Fujian craftsmanship.
Condition Issues
Visible breakage in the handle binding, potential brittleness of bamboo fibers, dust accumulation in the weave, and loss of painted details on the middle tier.
Conservation Recommendations
Keep in a humidity-controlled environment to prevent further brittleness; soft-brush dusting only; avoid direct sunlight to preserve remaining pigments.