Antique Chinese wooden basket with painted calligraphy – China, circa 1900

Ancient Chinese wooden basket for painted calligraphy, square in shape with smooth sides, decorated on its sides with black ink ideograms on a natural wood background. Originating from China, from the end of the Qing dynasty, this type of container — called dou (斗) — was used as a standard measure of grain in rural markets and granaries. The painted grain measures were part of the standard equipment for Chinese agricultural trade. The ink inscriptions indicated the guild, granary, or calibration period: on this example, the characters 標準 (standard), 五年 (fifth year), and 茂念 are still legible, common on certified pieces from the turn of the 19th–20th centuries. It is constructed from solid wood, with boards joined using visible dovetail joints at the four corners and fitted with a small wooden knob pegged onto one side. The walls are slightly trapezoidal — with a mouth slightly wider than the base — to facilitate the filling and emptying of grain without loss. The construction is straightforward, without metal fittings, relying solely on glued joints and the precise fitting of the boards. Details. Dimensions: Length 33 cm – Depth 28 cm – Height 16.5 cm. Style: Qing Dynasty. Materials and techniques: Solid wood; visible dovetail joint assembly; painted calligraphy with black ink brush. Place of origin: China. Period: Qing Dynasty (1644–1912) Date of manufacture: Circa 1900. Condition / Observations: Good. Wear consistent with age and use.