Expert folk art basketry with bamboo carving and much attention to detail. The basket weaving is tight with a pleasing pattern, and is perfect for a picnic or lunch box.The set has two baskets and a top. The bottom basket is attached to the handle, but the top basket can be removed. Small strips of bamboo were woven to produce the body of the baskets. The handle is a piece of bamboo that was steamed and bent, and has extensive carvings of swords, flutes, and double gourds surrounded by floral vines. Strips on the edges were stained and carved in a key fret pattern. The bases of the boxes are a light soft wood. Metal staples were used to keep the boxes intact. The top is made from a thin panel of what looks like mahogany with glue and fine brad nails.MEASUREMENTS 13 ??a€ (34.9 cm) tall x 10 ??a€ (27.3 cm) long x 6 ??a€ (17.1 cm) wide. Weighs 2 lb 4.8 oz (1.04 kg)CONDITION There are damages to the corner edges especially on the bottom basket. Part of the key fret panel is missing on this edge. The top edge of this bottom basket has a strip edge missing on one end. This doesna€?t show when the top basket is in place. The top inner strip on the top basket has losses on the four corners. There are cracks in the wood basses from age and drying out. Ia€?m not sure if the top is the original; it fits snugly but is a different wood than the rest of the basket. It looks good with the basket though.A lost work of folk art that was labor intensive. It has a timeless look. It could have been made 100 years ago or 1000.___________________Item ID: V-1692