Balinese Ata Grass Basket with Hand-Carved Wooden Frog Lid

This is a finely woven oval lidded basket, measuring approximately 6 to 8 inches in length, crafted from Ata grass (a type of fern vine native to Indonesia). The basket features a Tight-knit, rib-and-weaver construction characteristic of Balinese craftsmanship, specifically the Tenganan village style. The material displays a warm, dark honey-brown patina, which is traditionally achieved through a smoking process over coconut husks to repel insects and add structural durability. The most prominent feature is the hand-carved wooden lid insert featuring a stylized frog finial. The wood displays an aged dark finish with slight graining visible. The frog is carved with smooth, rounded lines and realistic anatomical positioning. Condition-wise, the basket appears structurally sound, though there is visible dust accumulation in the crevices of the weave and minor surface abrasions on the wooden lid, consistent with a vintage mid-to-late 20th-century piece. Small gaps where the wooden insert meets the woven frame suggest some natural shrinkage of the wood over time. There are no readily visible maker's marks, which is standard for these artisanal folk-art pieces.