Vintage Chinese Wicker Hen Baskets, Handwoven Rattan, 1970s Folk Art

Pair of vintage Chinese wicker hen baskets, circa 1970s, handwoven in natural rattan, wicker, and bamboo reed with carved and painted wood details. Each small-scale hen features a rounded lidded body, fitted removable top, sculptural head, painted comb, pointed beak, upright tail, and woven basket form. Measuring approximately 3 inches by 2.5 inches by 3 inches each, the pair has an intimate scale while retaining the decorative character and craftsmanship of the larger Chinese animal-form baskets from the same period.

These small lidded hen baskets belong to the tradition of Chinese decorative basketry popular during the 1970s, when handwoven rattan and wicker objects were widely collected for their warmth, folk character, and sculptural domestic appeal. The hen motif connects naturally to kitchen culture, eggs, abundance, and the imagery of the rural home. Their compact size makes them especially charming as tabletop objects, shelf accents, or small covered containers.

Today, this pair of vintage Chinese wicker hen baskets works beautifully as a collected decorative set, kitchen accent, tabletop detail, or folk-art object. They can hold very small objects or simply be displayed together as sculptural animal-form basketry. Their handmade texture, warm natural material, and playful silhouette make them especially appealing in rustic, folk art, cottage, farmhouse, coastal, and eclectic interiors.

Dimensions
Hen 1: 3 H x 2.5 W x 3 D in.
Hen 2: 3 H x 2.2 W x 2.5 D in.

Details

• 1stDibs reference: LU10969250223212
• Period: Mid-20th Century
• Date: 1970
• Origin: China
• Materials: Rattan
• Techniques: Hand-Crafted
• Style: Rustic
• Dimensions: H 3 × W 2.5 × D 3 IN
• Condition: GOOD