Flower arranging basket in the form of an abstracted empty boat, woven of chestnut toned winter bamboo rhizomes with split rattan knotting. Signed twice on the reverse with an incised signature by the artist, once on an over-laid bamboo plaque and once on the back of one of the rhizome back rails: Chikubosai Kore wo Tsukuru or Made by Chikubosai (Maeda Chikubosai I, 1870 – 1950). Taisho 11 or 1922.

With the tomobako or original box, inscribed on the exterior of the lid: Tennen Kanchiku Konnsei, Utsubune Shiki Hana-kago or Natural Winter Bamboo Root, Empty Boat Form Flower Basket; and on the reverse of the lid dated: Taisho Ju-ichi Nen, Mizunoe Inu or Taisho (Era) 11th Year, Year of the Dog, and signed: Chikubosai Kore wo Tsukuru or Made by Chikubosai, and sealed.

This extraordinary river boat reveals Chikubosai’s great imagination and command of materials. Winter bamboo roots of amazing scale combined with smaller pieces and tap root sections bring great texture to this basket. The use of rattan rather than finely split bamboo as a binding material complements the strength of the other materials. A lavish use of ornamental double interlocking V knots interspersed with simple wrapping (bo-maki) comprise the knotting. Two spiral cross knots (juji-uzumaki-musubi) attach the signature plaque on the reverse.

A powerful example of Chikubosai’s best work, elegantly imagined and rendered with beautiful proportions. This is the only basket by Maeda Chikubosai I we have seen bearing a double signature, a fact that no doubt bears witness to his pride in this piece.