Flower arranging basket woven of honey colored smoked bamboo in a low indented circular form, the loop form handle of split and woven vine. Signed on the reverse with an inscribed signature by the artist, Hosai (Iizuka Hosai II, 1872 – 1934). Taisho – early Showa era, circa 1920 – 1930.

With the tomobako or original box, inscribed on the exterior of the lid: Matsukasa Hanakago or Pinecone Flower Basket; and signed on the reverse: Hosai Saku or Made by Hosai, and sealed.

Hosai II created a very organic, natural form for flowers by compressing the shape out of true, and using the richly varied color of his material in constantly varying widths. He weaves the body in basic twill plaiting, but changes the scale of the weave across three broad horizontal bands. A strong line of insect wrapping (mushi-maki) forms the mouth. Twisting split sections of vine reach across the mouth to form the handle, the color of the variegated vine complementing the bamboo in the body perfectly.

This basket speaks with a quiet strength often found in the work of Hosai II, one of the most sophisticated basketry artists of the early 20th century.