19th Century Japanese Boro Covered Basket
19th Century Japanese Boro Covered Basket
This 19th-century Japanese woven bamboo basket, likely used for grain or rice, transcends its industrial origins to become a stunning contemporary artwork. Covered in a mosaic of indigo cotton Boro textile fragments, the basket showcases the Japanese tradition of Boro—patching and mending fabric to extend its life. Boro textiles, cherished for their history and craftsmanship, embody a philosophy of resourcefulness and beauty in imperfection. The addition of a black paper with torn edges covering half of the basket enhances the visual and textural contrast, emphasizing the fusion of old and new. This piece captures the essence of Wabi-Sabi, the Japanese aesthetic of appreciating the imperfect and impermanent. Its intricate interplay of textures and materials not only tells a story of utility and tradition but also elevates it to the status of a modern masterpiece, blurring the lines between functional object and high art.
24 in. W x 4.5 in. D x 22 in. H