Antique Japanese Ikebana Basket with Natural Branch Handle

DescriptionA distinctive Japanese ikebana (flower basket) from the late Meiji period, featuring a four-legged base, a bold natural branch handle, and a tight woven-pattern body. The intricate basket form is built from split bamboo in a dynamic herringbone weave, with expressive curving accents wrapping around the body and legs. The natural wood branch handle is preserved in its organic, irregular form—complete with knots and flowing contours—evoking the Japanese reverence for natural beauty (shizen) and the aesthetic of wabi-sabi. The four-legged design offers stability and sculptural presence, elevating this basket as both a utilitarian ikebana vessel and a standalone art object. Unsigned, original conditionMeiji period (1868 – 1912)13 1/2″ high x 12″ x 11 3/4″