Dim Sum Box

Large dim sum box with 4 compartments, formerly lacquered and lined with painted canvas. the handle is wrought iron.

There is a saying about the origin of steamers in China, during the time of Emperor Gaozu of Han Dynasty, general Han Xin used bamboo and wood to make cooking utensils and steamer to cook food, to avoid exposure to cooking smoke in the barracks. The bamboo steamer is a kitchen utensil originating from the Han dynasty in the Guangzhou region. The bamboo steamer is used in Chinese cuisine, and for 5,000 years in southern China. It is made by removing the skin of the bamboo, soaking it in water, shaping it into a circle and hammering it with nails. The base is made of woven bamboo strips and manufacturing can take between 15 minutes and several hours depending on its size. (wikipedia source)