Chinese Varnished Bamboo Hat Basket from the 19th Century Painted with Flowers

A 19th century Chinese painted hat basket made with varnished bamboo and gadroon motifs. This basket adopts a circular shape adorned with gadroons while two tall thin handles surmount the lid. On the inside, the edge of the basket is adorned with delicate black painted bamboo and flower motifs. The lid can be used as a bowl thanks to its circular base. The entire piece was made with carved bamboo, varnished in a brown hue.

This 19th century Chinese painted and varnished bamboo hat basket would be a unique item in most homes and could lend an elegant addition to a living room or dining room perhaps as a vessel for displaying various decorative accessories.