Offerings Basket
A bright yellow 笾 Bian - a basket for fruits. I found this in basket maker Qian Ji Huai's workshop which also holds his collection of basket curiosities, each one with an archaic purpose and story. This one caught my eye for its striking colour and quirky shape. He tells me the story of its origin: first as a display vessel for dried fruits in the emperor's palace (hence the bright yellow, the royal colour) and later used in temples to hold symbolic offerings (painted black). It feels bold and contemporary, contrary to its long history. Qian Ji Hua still makes this in his workshop using the skills handed down to him by his father.