A COPPER-WIRE HANDLED FLOWER BASKET Meiji era (1868-1912), late 19th/early 20th century (3)A COPPER-WIRE HANDLED FLOWER BASKETMeiji era (1868-1912), late 19th/early 20th centuryThe rectangular angled body predominantly worked in matsuba-ami ('pine needle' plaiting), the base in yotsu-ami (square plaiting) the tall triple handle wrapped and knotted, patinated to resemble susudake (smoked bamboo), unsigned; with a bamboo otoshi (water container) and a wood tomobako storage box inscribed Odo matsuba-ami kaki (Yellow bronze pine-needle plaiting flower container) and signed and sealed Heian Makosai (Makosai of Kyoto). 41cm (16 1/8in) high. (3).Although woven in copper wire rather than bamboo and rattan, this basket follows the Chinese style, popular with aficionados of the sencha style of tea-drinking, which was prevalent in the Kansai region throughout the nineteenth century and into the opening decades of the early twentieth century.