Description
Finely Woven Split Bamboo Antique Backpack Gathering Basket from Laos/Vietnam
LB7
Possibly the Kaseng tribe.
Attapu area, Laos, also Vietnam.
Gathering basket worn on the back.
Bamboo, wood and rattan.
16.5 in. tall x 14.5 in. at the opening X 11.24 in. at the base X 15.5 in deep. 1.7 lb
Good condition. Some of the needle size bamboo has split. 3 holes on the bottom from use.
Simple cording or rattan vine would pass behind the legs at the base, through the side loops and wrapped around the forehead of the carrier. It comes to rest on the back of this finely split bamboo 4-legged gathering basket. It seems to have a special use due to 2 different weaving techniques are used to make up the body. The bottom of the basket is raised up 2 inches to keep dry off of the ground. Its then woven with 4 inches of typical quarter inch strips of bamboo that give it strength, but then for the next 10 inches it changes techniques and pattern by switching to very finely split bamboo about 1/32nd of an inch wide. It’s reinforced by 4 tapered support legs wrapped with finely coiled bamboo covering that have a beautiful pattern to anchor the foot. A wooden backrest is incorporated with the initials K.M burnt into it.
Collected in Northern Thailand 1990’s.
