Completely cast in bronze, the Vase in the Shape of a Bamboo Basket with Bean Vines and Butterflies possesses a dark gray color. It does not serve a functional role, despite being a vase, and is, therefore, only ornamental. As indicated by its title, this metalwork depicts a bamboo basket covered in bean vines and butterflies. Both leaves and beans poke through the basket’s weaving, while a couple of butterflies appear to be resting on the basket’s top portion. In addition, the basket, itself, sits on a stand of crisscrossed bamboo sticks. Although the precise date on which the Vase in the Shape of a Bamboo Basket with Bean Vines and Butterflies was created is unknown, it is believed to be during the Meiji period of 1868 to 1912. The Meiji