Where Bamboo comes from
Bamboo is the Malaysian name for a large number of plant varieties, that a tribe forms of grass species. The stems consist of dence parallel fiber bundles; they are hollow inside and at regular distances interrupted by growingknots of leaves or branches. Most bamboo flourish rarely, some annually, other species are blooming not more than every three years. Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants, the stem can grow from a few millimeters to 25-30 centimeters in diameter and reach a tallness as easely as up to 35 meters. 

The plant is found in diverse climates, of cold mountain areas, to hot tropical regions. It spread itselfs mainly underground through their roots in a wide range around the stem. There are certain kinds of bamboo that grows 1 meter a day. This is three times as fast as the fastest growing tree. Bamboo is also the only nourishment for Panda-bears, their lives depend on this plant. 

All kinds of applications
In recent years, bamboo has become increasingly popular for its applications in garden design, as wel as for interior purposes in western countries. For example for tabletops, parquet, kitchendoors, ceilingssystems. Even in textile, bamboo fibers are used for clothing, just as cotton is applicated for a super-white shirt. Children playes with bamboo toys. Bamboo can be used to strenghten concrete, what's essential in areas where earthquakes occure. Houses of bamboo survive earthquakes better because of the strenghts and flexibilty of the material. Some bamboo plants are raw pulpmaterial for the production of ordinary dailypaper to fine paper for artists.

For less peacefull use, mankind makes weapens, spears for fishing and fishing rods of bamboo since early times. But also musical instruments like panflutes, allready known in Greece times. In China and Japan, bambooflutes belong to their heritage classical music instruments, and in the Indonesian Archipel the music made by an angklung orchestra is a touristical attraction as well.

Bamboo braiding as old as mankind
But most of all, bamboo is used for braiding baskets in all kinds, all forms, different sizes, to a wide range of purposses in household, transportation, luxery and artworks. Wickerwork and bambo braiding is as old as mankind, even older than earlierest pottery. The oldest wickerwork found is dated 10.000 years ago. 

Valuable bamboo arts
In East Asia, the Phillipines, Thailand, Indonesia, China and especially Japan, braiding with bamboo has reached a highly developed level of art. Very refined and delicate of forms, beautiful designed by tradition, Japanese bamboo boxes, baskets etc, are in favour as collector items, of which are paid high prices at the time. A simple basket generate at an auction $600 or up to thousands of dollars.

How to make a nice basket

Raw material, ready for claevage into strips

Cleaving bamboo to strips is a delicate work, experience is essential  Making bamboo strips on measure and right thickness for braiding




Nearly ready made basket of bamboo strips, not yet finished     Finishing touch by making the top trims, hinges and handle


Price worthy, beautiful hand-basket, varnished, ready for long-time use


Phillipine basket-seller on tour, to sell enviromental friendly products

Text © 2011 Albert Prins

Servicepoint;
Luxery Eco Friendly Interiors, that reflect your Personality and Lifestyle; see; http://www.sesshudesign.com/blog/
Auctionhouses of Asian Arts
Japanese antiques see; http://www.collectorsdeck.com/
Japanese antiques, see; http://www.dezwaan.nl
Japanese antiques, see; http://jcollector.com
Traders in Asian Arts
Traders in Asian-African-Ethnic Arts, see; http://onevillage.org/baskets.htm
Traders in Asian-Ethnic Arts, see; http://www.magellantraders.com/
Traders in Asian-Enthic Arts, see; http://www.alibaba.com
Museum
Spurlockmuseum, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, see; http://www.spurlock.uiuc.edu
All about Bamboo
General information about bamboo, see; http://www.bambusinformationen.de
Included videoclips of Indonesian Anklung bamboo music