Willow Storage Box h120 known as 'bi' (pronounced 'bee')

known as 'bi' (pronounced 'bee') in Chinese

Great at the end of a bed for storing bedding or clothes

smoothed and sealed to give a hard wearing surface

Today they make useful little bowls on a console for keys and loose change

although smaller and more practical for modern day use

Willow Storage Box h120 known as 'bi' (pronounced 'bee')Shanxi, circa 1900 This charming little storage box is made from willow, the curved handle made by steaming the wood to a pliable state. Traces of the original reddish brown finish are still visible, though now largely worn down to the pale wood underneath. The box also still has the old heavy studs and ironware in place. Originally used a food carrying box, it has two separate sections (used to hold different foods) as well as a shallow lid.