A bamboo basket lined with lacquered paper covered in gold and painted with cranes under a pine tree dating from the 18th century signed Amanogawa followed by the kao-signature used by basket artist Amanogawa (Amagawa) Nubutsune (no dates). Naturally the lacquered lining has cracked with time, but is intact and in surprisingly good condition.The cranes were once painted with white gofun, which has largely worn away.The painting is signed on the left, but the signature is no longer legible.The basket is 42 x 29.5 x 6.5 cm (17 x 12 x 2-1/2 inches) is in excellent condition.
