1930s China through American eyes

The shop of the wicker ware merchant

In China entire streets or sections of streets are often given over to certain handicrafts or groups of shops all offering the same kind of merchandise. In these shops the articles are also made. The shops are all very much like this one, open to the street, and are opened for business by merely taking down the front shutters. The entire interior is then exposed to the gaze of the curious. There is often no sidewalk.

The Chinese excel in the use of bamboo for wicker work and from it in addition to baskets are made all kinds of furniture and household articles. Baskets are also made of grasses, pine needles, willow, rush and straw. Basket making is one of the most universal of arts and ranks among the most ancient of industries. It is probably the origin of all the textile arts in the world.

[Photo provided to China Daily/Keystone View Company]