A COPPER-WIRE HANDLED FLOWER BASKETMeiji era (1868-1912), late 19th/early 20th centuryThe rectangular angled body predominantly worked inmatsuba-ami ('pine needle' plaiting), the base inyotsu-ami (square plaiting) the tall triple handle wrapped and knotted, patinated to resemblesusudake (smoked bamboo),unsigned; with a bamboootoshi (water container) and a woodtomobako storage box inscribedOdo matsuba-ami kaki (Yellow bronze pine-needle plaiting flower container) and signed and sealedHeian Makosai (Makosai of Kyoto).41cm (16 1/8in) high. (3).Provenance: Although woven in copper wire rather than bamboo and rattan, this basket follows the Chinese style, popular with aficionados of thesencha style of tea-drinking, which was prevalent in the Kansai region throughout the nineteenth century and into the opening decades of the early twentieth century.