Dou Rice Measure

This rustic container was made over a hundred years ago to measure and hold a dou of rice, a traditional Chinese unit of volume. The rice measure has a square form with tapered sides, handcrafted of elm with thin finger joinery, iron staple reinforcements and a gently arched handle. The wooden vessel is beautifully weathered from years of use, softly faded to a light brown and marked by traces of large painted characters on each side.