By Maeda Chikubosai II (1917-2003), signed and sealed by the artistJapan, c. 1970-1980, Showa period (1926-1989)Of ovoid form and finely woven with particularly thin strands of bamboo, made with the senjo-ami (one thousand lines) technique, with an otoshi (water holder) cut from a whole section of bamboo. Signed on the base of the basket: 竹房斎造之 Chikubosai zo kore [This is made by Chikubosai].HEIGHT 16.8 cmCondition: Excellent condition with minor wear.Provenance: British private collection.The wood storage box with hakogaki at the top reading: 花藍 Hanakago [Flower basket] and to the underside of the lid: 竹房斎造之、印：竹房斎 Chikubosai zo kore with seal Chikubosai [This is made by Chikubosai, with seal Chikubosai].Maeda Chikubosai II was born in the Hirai section of Sakai, where all of the Maeda clan lives. A late child, he was considered too young to train by his father and learned plaiting techniques from his father’s students instead. He began to receive some recognition for his work during the mid-1930s. After World War II, he showed in Osaka-area exhibitions and aspired to show creative work in Nitten. In 1953 he had his first piece accepted in Nitten, and he exhibited in 1959 at Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition. He was honored by the Japanese government in 1992, and named “Living National Treasure” in bamboo craft in 1995.Auction comparison: Compare a closely related bamboo hanakago by the same artist, but of smaller size, to be sold at Bonhams, Tradition Travel Transition Japanese Art Across the Centuries, 4 November 2021, London, lot 62 (estimate of 2,500-3,000 GBP).