Fan-shaped water hyacinth hand-held basket, chestnut brown with lid

This storage basket features a distinctive fan-shaped silhouette: a wide, flat base that tapers toward the top, where it is fitted with a curved lid. The entire piece is hand-woven from water hyacinth stems, which have been steeped in a chestnut-hued plant-based dye. The carrying handle consists of a long strap braided from two strands of water hyacinth, designed to be comfortably looped over the wrist. The lid is secured to the basket body by a cord-and-loop fastener—crafted from the same material—to prevent accidental displacement. This item serves beautifully as a decorative plant pot cover, concealing unsightly plastic planters, or as a small tote bag for carrying bread and fruit on a picnic; it is also ideal for organizing silk scarves and shawls in the bedroom. The unique fan-shaped aesthetic requires a specialized hand-weaving technique: the flat base is constructed first, followed by a gradual reduction in the circumference of the weaving rounds to form the tapering fan shape, and finally, the separate lid is crafted and attached.